A small Merseyside pet care business, Boss Pets, finds itself in a David-and-Goliath battle with global fashion giant Hugo Boss over its company name. Hugo Boss claims the name is too similar to their own ‘BOSS’ brand and could confuse consumers, demanding a name change. However, Boss Pets is standing firm, asserting their right to use the widely understood local term.
Pet care company faces trademark challenge
Ben McDonald, a Bootle resident, established Boss Pets in February with the aim of providing high-quality wellness products for pets. To his surprise, in mid-June, he received a letter from Hugo Boss. The fashion conglomerate argued that the name "Boss Pets" was too similar to their existing trademarks, specifically the "BOSS" brand, and requested that McDonald drop the use of "boss" from his company’s name.
Hugo Boss’s concerns
Hugo Boss outlined their reasoning for the name change request:
- They are concerned by any use of the term "BOSS" or variations thereof, especially if the format or style is similar to their "BOSS Marks."
- Such use could confuse and mislead the public regarding the origin of goods and services.
- It might falsely suggest a connection with Hugo Boss.
- It could dilute the distinctiveness of their "BOSS Marks."
Boss Pets stands firm
Despite the pressure from the international fashion brand, Boss Pets is not backing down. Francis McEntegart, legal representative for Boss Pets, stated that they have advised their client not to comply with Hugo Boss’s requests and will defend any opposition to their trademark application.
Hugo Boss’s perspective
Hugo Boss clarified their position, stating that as an international fashion company, they must protect their existing trademark rights for both their BOSS and HUGO brands. They noted that while Boss Pets has been operating since early 2024, the trademark registration was only filed in June 2025. Upon becoming aware of the registration, they approached the business owner due to the overlap with their trademarks. While acknowledging that "boss" is a commonly used English word, they maintain their responsibility to monitor and protect their brand rights globally and address unclear cases.
Sources
- Merseyside business battling with Hugo Boss over name dispute, MerseyNewsLive.
