Proposed by Councillor Wolff, seconded by Councillor Simmons

Green member motion

Council notes UK trademark application No: UK00003296208 by The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford, trading as Oxford University Press, which seeks to register the word ‘Oxford’ for use classes 9, 16 and 41. These cover a very wide range of activities including the provision of training, downloadable or printed documents, sporting and cultural activities and so on.   

This Council notes the concern of residents and businesses that registering the word ‘Oxford’ could negatively impact on the freedom of other organisations to utilise the word and associated ‘brand’ in its own products and services without risking challenge or incurring a fee.

The Council also notes that its own activities, and those of its trading companies, could be impacted should the application be successful.

The Council therefore agree to oppose the application and, in the event of the application proceeding, seek the necessary guarantees from the trademark holder to protect Oxford’s identity and economy. 

This motion was not taken as the time allowed for debate had finished.