Barclays wins advertising battle

The ruling went in Barclays favour

A High Court judge has turned down a request by an accountancy firm to stop a Barclays advertising campaign.

East Midlands-based Cooper Parry wanted an injunction to stop the banking giant from launching a campaign using the slogan "Now there's a thought".

But Mr Justice Mann called for an early trial on the claim over the slogan, which Cooper Parry said it has used for five years.

Barclays said its campaign will start on TV on Friday evening as planned.

£1.5m campaign

Barclays is free to use the strap-line, which, it argues, is a common phrase in the English language to which no one has exclusive rights.

But Cooper Parry said it is pleased to have the opportunity to stop the campaign before Christmas.

A spokesperson for the accountants said the judge added the case was "significantly urgent" and justified an early trial.

The two slogans are identical

The judge rejected Cooper Parry's move for an injunction pending the full trial because it was not prepared to compensate Barclays for any losses caused by an injunction if it lost the case.

Cooper Parry said any losses suffered by Barclays in such circumstances could run into many millions of pounds - which could put its entire business at risk.

The firm, which has offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, said it first became aware of Barclays' campaign two weeks ago.

Barclays said it had discussions with Cooper Parry prior to the court hearing but was unable to come to an agreement.

Cooper Parry said it spent more than £1.5m in direct advertising costs alone, in addition to significant sums for merchandising materials.

It said it would be forced to drop the slogan because its business would inevitably be linked in the public mind with Barclays.