The trademark “HOP ON HOP OFF” is proposed to be invalidated

Pham & Associates, on behalf of and authorized by Vietnam Tourism Joint Stock Company, has petitioned at the IP Vietnam to invalidate Trademark Registration No.279397 “HOP ON HOP OFF” for  travel and tourist transportation services in Class 39 granted to Anh Viet Media TV & Tourist Co., Ltd on the ground that the trademark in question does not meet the protection conditions at the time the Registration is granted as specified in Article 74.2(c), the IP Law.

Specifically, in English word "HOP ON HOP OFF", also referred as “step on step off, means a type of tourist bus or tram that follows a circular route with fixed stops through a city and that allows paying passengers unlimited travel for a day (or other period of time) with the freedom to disembark at any stop and reboard another bus or tram to continue their journey; this type of tourist service has been popular in many countries around the world. Therefore, the trademark “HOP ON HOP OFF” describes the service for which the mark is sought for registration, which  is excluded from protection under Article 74.2(c), the IP Law.

The case is being handled by the IP Vietnam