Scots Wagatha Christie t-shirt designer forced to give up trademark fight with Rebecca Vardy

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Businesswoman has ditched plans to trademark her own version of the Wagatha Christie name after legal threats from WAG Rebekah Vardy and lawyers for author Agatha Christie.Tammie Ford McMillan had planned to use her alternative on the back of T-shirts which would be personalised on the front with the owner’s name.Her version of Wagatha Christie was spelled backwards, as you might see in a mirror.Last year, Tammie, 47, received a warning letter from solicitors representing Vardy, who wants to use it on her own products.

They also opposed her trademark application to the UK Government’s regulatory body, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Lawyers representing the estate of the legendary Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot creator, who died in 1976 aged 85, also objected.They said Agatha Christie Ltd owned all the rights to the name, signature and trademarks as well as all her “famous works and characters.”A third company – luxury linen firm Christy – further opposed Tammie’s trademark application and sent warning letters.All three sets of lawyers demanded she withdraw her application to the IPO to use the Wagatha Christie name.Yesterday, Tammie told the Sunday Mail she had decided to throw in the towel in the face of the legal actions.She added: “The IPO thought that I had a case against Christy Linen.

However, the IPO’s initial view was that my trademark and goods and services were too similar to the other two companies and would likely cause confusion.“The IPO further advised me that should I take my application forward, this would likely result in a costs awards against me.

In light of these comments from the IPO, I decided not to take my application further.”Vardy, wife of Leicester and former England striker Jamie,