A FLORIST has been ordered to take down a tissue paper
Olympic rings display from her shop window – because it breaches
trademark rules.
Trading standards officers have warned Lisa Cross that she
faces being sued by official Games sponsors, including Coca Cola, for
the unauthorised window display of Olympic symbols.
Lisa's La Rose Florists shop, in Leek Road, Hanley, is the
only business so far to receive a warning.
The crackdown was ordered by games organiser Locog which
called for a check on the unauthorised use of Olympic logos ahead of
the arrival of the torch relay to Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday.
Lisa, who runs the shop with business partner Tony Finney,
said: "The trading standards officers said they really loved the
display, but told us we'd have to take it down or we could be sued by
Coca Cola. They said I'd have to take it down by Wednesday.
"We haven't decided whether we'll be keeping the display up.
"We've only been running the shop for 15 months, and I don't
want to do anything to put it at risk."
Lisa, aged 33, of Moorland Road, Burslem, added: "People
have come into the shop and told me the display looks absolutely
brilliant. One woman came in and picked up a torch, which is part of
the display, and asked if she could buy it. I had to tell her I needed
it.
"I had no idea I was breaking any rules. I just wanted to
support Team GB and the Olympics. This is the only time in my lifetime
that we'll have the Olympics in this country, and the only time the
torch relay will be coming to Stoke-on-Trent."
Partner Tony is refusing to give in on the issue.
The 43-year-old, of Wetley Rocks, said: "We're not going to
take the display down. If they want, we'll take this to court. We
haven't done anything wrong."
The Olympic torch relay – which does not go along Leek Road
– will arrive in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday evening, ahead of a
celebration event in Hanley Park. On Thursday morning the relay will
pass through Hanley before moving on to Crewe and Congleton.
A Locog spokesman today refused to comment on La Rose
Florists' plight.
But she added: "Wherever Locog or trading standards officers
see unauthorised use of the word 'Olympics' or registered trademarks,
we will take the time to explain to the business owner why they cannot
do that.
"Each case will be dealt with on an individual basis, but in
general we will pursue a course of education, rather than litigation."
