IRAN
I.B.8. Likelyhood of Confusion
On June 6, 2000, applicant filed to register the trademark HODA (in Persian script) for goods in Classes 12 and 35. Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha filed an administration opposition before the Iranian Industrial Property Office ("IIPO") claiming prior registration for the trademark HONDA in Iran. The IIPO referred the matter to the public court of Tehran.
The Court issued a verdict in favor of Honda. Even though the application fot HODA was filed in Persian script, the pronunciation was similar to English trademark registered by Honda. Therefore, the Court found that the general public would be confused and ordered cancellation of the HODA application.
Publication of Tehran No.69, Case No.669/3/79, Verdict No.94, Date: April 25, 2001