Guy Neale v Ku de Ta SG Pte Ltd: Trade Mark Infringement and Passing Off Dispute

The plaintiffs, Guy Neale and others, operating as a partnership under the name "Ku De Ta" in Bali, Indonesia, brought an action in the High Court of Singapore against Ku de Ta SG Pte Ltd (KDTSG) for trade mark infringement and passing off. KDTSG operates a restaurant cum bar/lounge/club at Marina Bay Sands under the same name. The plaintiffs sought orders enjoining KDTSG from using the name "Ku De Ta", damages, and an account of profits. Prakash J. dismissed the action on 18 November 2013, following the dismissal of a related suit (Suit 314) concerning the ownership of the Singapore trade marks for "KU DE TA".

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Action dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Intellectual Property

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Plaintiffs' trade mark infringement and passing off action against Ku de Ta SG Pte Ltd is dismissed following the dismissal of related Suit 314.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Guy NealePlaintiffIndividualClaim DismissedDismissed
Ku De Ta SG Pte LtdDefendantCorporationJudgment for DefendantWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Judith PrakashJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Ang Cheng HockAllen & Gledhill LLP
William OngAllen & Gledhill LLP
Kristy TanAllen & Gledhill LLP
Bryna YeoAllen & Gledhill LLP
Jacqueline LeeAllen & Gledhill LLP
Low Chai ChongRodyk & Davidson LLP
Foo Maw JiunRodyk & Davidson LLP
Huang WenshanRodyk & Davidson LLP

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiffs operate a restaurant known as “Ku De Ta” in Bali, Indonesia.
  2. The defendant, Ku de Ta SG Pte Ltd, operates a restaurant cum bar/lounge/club at the Skypark at Marina Bay Sands, styled as “Ku De Ta”.
  3. The plaintiffs brought an action against the defendant for trade mark infringement and passing off.
  4. The defendant bases its use of the “Ku De Ta” name on a licence agreement with Nine Squares Pty Ltd.
  5. Nine Squares Pty Ltd is the registered owner of two trade marks in Singapore bearing the name “KU DE TA”.
  6. The plaintiffs' action depended on the outcome of Suit 314, which concerned the ownership of the Singapore trade marks.
  7. The court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims in Suit 314.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Guy Neale and others v Ku de Ta SG Pte Ltd, Suit No 955 of 2010, [2013] SGHC 250

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Suit No 955 of 2010 filed
Licence Agreement between Nine Squares and Chris Au
Chris Au assigned rights to KDTSG
Deed of assignment dated
Suit No 314 of 2011 filed
Judgment in Suit 314 delivered
Judgment in Suit 955 delivered

7. Legal Issues

  1. Trade Mark Infringement
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the trade mark infringement claim.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Passing Off
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the passing off claim.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Orders enjoining KDTSG from using the name / mark “Ku De Ta”
  2. Damages
  3. Account of profits

9. Cause of Actions

  • Trade Mark Infringement
  • Passing Off

10. Practice Areas

  • Intellectual Property Litigation

11. Industries

  • Hospitality
  • Food and Beverage

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Trade Marks Act (Cap 332, 2005 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Trade mark infringement
  • Passing off
  • Licence agreement
  • Singapore Marks
  • Ku De Ta

15.2 Keywords

  • trade mark
  • infringement
  • passing off
  • Ku De Ta
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Trademarks90
Passing Off85
Contract Law40
Commercial Disputes30

16. Subjects

  • Intellectual Property
  • Trade Marks