Toys ‘R’ Us Canada fights to protect its brand trademarks

Toys “R” Us Canada is fighting to protect its brand, opposing trademark applications from tech company Acer Inc., a Calgary swingers club, and a Russian business.

The toy store chain is owned by Ancaster-based Putman Investments.

It says the proposed trademarks — a backwards “R”, the phrase “Club R” and the word “Wonderlab”, could cause confusion with its own branding.

Among the trademarks Toys “R” Us Canada has are a reversed R — it says it’s had rights to that for at least 45 years.

In addition to the main brand’s logo, the backwards letter is found in the Babies “R” Us name.

The company also has trademarks for Puppies “R” Us and Bruin, the chain’s toy line which uses a reversed R.

However, Acer Inc. now wants to use a backwards and capitalized letter R with an arrow on electronics and accessories.

Toys “R” Us Canada is dealing with these cases while under creditor protection.

It’s looking for investors or buyers for its assets.

Toys “R” us Canada owes at least $120 million to suppliers and says landlords are also owed substantial sums.

The company has said in its creditor protection filings that it is opposing the use of names and symbols linked to its brand to “protect its proprietary rights and goodwill.”

With files from The Canadian Press.

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