Court Rule London Black Cab Design Lacks Distinctive Character.

The London Taxi Company, manufacturer of the traditional hackney carriage, had taken action against the makers of the Metrocab, a new hybrid-powered taxi, saying its design had been "substantially copied" from its own. But in a High Court judgement handed down last week, Mr Justice Arnold rejected claims of copying and revoked London Taxi's community trademark covering the 3D shape design, ruling that the shape is not distinctive enough to trademark.

The case highlights how difficult it is for designers to use trademark law to cover three-dimensional shapes. You can read more over at the BBC here.