BBC's plans for new mag disrupted by NI

Next week, the BBC publishes the trademark for opposition, a key part of
the process before it can own the name.

Intellectual property lawyer Lee Ellis, partner at Gillhams Solicitors,
said that, if News Magazines were to challenge the BBC's registration,
the BBC might have to buy the name from News Magazines.

However, he added that as the BBC had initially announced its intention
to call its magazine Newsbrief last year, that time lapse could count as
a "preparation period" to use the name.

"When one applies to register a trademark, one must have an intention of
using the mark within five years; if not, it will be struck off. The
marks do not have to be identical, just confusingly similar," said
Ellis.

A BBC spokesman said: "We are aware they filed the trademark. We do not
view this as a concern."

News Magazines has also been planning a news title, believed to be
called Spectrum, but it was put on hold while it concentrated on the
relaunch of Sky's customer magazine.

News Magazines publisher Jonathan Steel said: "I can confirm that News
Magazines is not actively pursuing any launch into this area."

A decision whether to launch BBC Newsbrief will be made in the autumn.
BBC Magazines is still examining whether the title makes economic
sense.

One managing director of a rival magazine publisher warned that the
corporation would also need to think carefully about how it uses its
"news personalities" within the magazine to add credibility to it.

In recent months, it has put a stop to BBC correspondents Andrew Marr
and Emily Maitlis writing for The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator
respectively, once their existing contracts expire.

"If they are then able to write for the BBC's magazine, that would be
giving it an unfair commercial advantage," he added.