The Colombian Trademark Office agreed with our client DETERGENTES LTDA, and in consequence, it denied the registration of the trademark JABÓN DE BARRA LÍQUIDO AZUL (plus design) to distinguish products under International Class 3 on behalf of MERCADERIA S.A.S.
Besides being contradictory in itself and deceiving, the Trademark Office found the expression “JABON DE BARRA LIQUIDO AZUL” (BLUE LIQUID BAR SOAP) lacked distinctiveness to identify soap.
Generic and descriptive expressions are not individually appropriable as they might create an unjustified advantage in the market.
Thus, both the consumers and the producers were protected with this decision.