Crocmedia tries to block station from using ‘football’ in its name

Melbourne internet radio station ‘Football Nation Radio (FNR)’ caught the ire of Crocmedia recently for the the use of the word “football” in its name.

Crocmedia tried to stop the station, which covers round-ball football (increasingly less known as “soccer” in Australia), from registering its name as a trademark.

SMH reports that Crocmedia, which own its AFL Nation network, argued that AFL is synonymous with “football” in Australia and the name of the new station would lead to confusion among listeners.

In addition, apparently the Craig Hutchinson-owned company reckon that sports fans wouldn’t be able to distinguish between the two stations. “…consumers are likely to confuse ‘Football Nation Radio’ as a service that provides commentary about Australian Rules Football,” argued Crocmedia.

The claim was thrown out by the Registrar of Trade Marks in Australia, with hearing officer Robert Wilson ruling that there are “a number” of different football codes in Australia including rugby union, rugby league, American Football, and Gaelic football.

“…in my view, the term ‘football’ is not equivalent to AFL,” said Wilson, before ordering Crocmedia to cover FNR’s legal costs.