Bull Ring, Brent Cross and Brentcross are not trade marks

Hammerson's shopping centre in Birmingham is built on a historic site called the Bull Ring, but it has been given a new name, "Bullring" shopping centre. That name is a trade mark. The "Bullring" web site says (including its spelling mistake):

Bullring (and respective logos where appropriate) are trade marks of The Birmingham Alliance or its affilated companies.

(Incidentally, it also says: "You may not ... link any other website to this website, without the prior written permission of The Birmingham Alliance." So it is supposedly actionable to show you this link: Bullring. Cripes - that's torn it!)

Regarding Brent Cross, the developers (now essentially Hammerson and Standard Life Investments, since Brookfield Multiplex cleared off last July * ) have verbally claimed that "Brent Cross" is their trade mark.

That is rubbish. 

Evidence? Well, the Brent Cross shopping centre web site itself says:

Brent Cross as an area was here long before the shopping centre was built, and it has kept its name.

(Want to see that for yourself? Well, the web site says that "You may not create a link to this website from another website or document without our written consent." but you may like to be naughty and click here: Brent Cross.)

There is a slight possibility that Brent Cross shopping centre or the developers is minded to try to claim "BrentCross" or "Brentcross" as a trade mark, and register it. This post is to assert our continued right to freely use both expressions.

Regards,
The Brentcross Coalition

(at BrentCross)

[near Le Crikeldwode, ‘the wood with an indented outline’, 1294.] 

* "Willesden and Brent Times"

(The last sentence peters out as shown, so we never hear

what the "strengthened commitment" of Hammerson is!)