The term Flashaholics

Just to let you all know the phrase ‘flashaholics’ has recently been Trademarked so be careful how you use it.

https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00003338947

I won’t go into details but I’ve had to change my YouTube channel from Flashaholics to Flashaholic.

So if you are thinking of starting up a Flashlight business, vlog, youtube channel or page just bear it in mind.

interesting fact, thanks for sharing.

I always thought it was quirky way of naming enthusiasts, in a very niche hobby.

I wondered why someone would trademark that, but then a quick google shows it’s their website name

“recently” = 2018 and only in UK.

Where my Flashaholics channel is based.

People use “holic” at the end of a lot of phrases…breadaholic, workaholic, chocaholic. Sorry you had to change your channel name.

They must have thought with my channel growing pretty big that I’d register the name and do the same to them, but I wouldn’t have.

Upsetting thing is I’ve been told the same company own a UK fenix online site, one which sent me a Fenix light to review with Flashaholics laser engraved onto it.

Damn that flashahol…

On the other hand it might be hard to defend the trademark in court if you’ve already used it when it got registered and in general because it is a widespread term.

How many people actually use or even know that term though? It certainly is not a google worthy keyword, it sucks to have a youtube channel with great content (I am a subscriber!) that went online with that name. But otherwise… not sure how relevant it would be.
Most people would follow your channel because the content is good, not because it is named flashaholics - I assume?

Hopefully, I’ve been working on merchandise with the Flashaholics moniker, so glad I didn’t get it out. I have 2 mouse mats, custom pocket clip, laser engraved Fenix lightand 4 T-shirts with Flashaholics written on them that are now redundant

My recollection, when I used to practice UK trademark law (pre-1987), is that a trademark may not be enforced against a prior user.

A brief look online reveals that under Section 11(3) of the Trade Marks Act 1994, a registered trade mark is not infringed by the use in the course of trade in a particular locality of an earlier right which applies only in that locality - Prior rights and registered intellectual property | Gowling WLG

These days your locality may extend to online use. That is not to say the new TM owner may not make your life miserable.

I’ve spoken to a “Flashaholic” friend who is a Trademark and intellectual property Lawyer and just now the UK Trademark registration company and they’ve both checked out the Trademark and told me it only covers torches/lights and not video streaming