Kellogg's has "launched Federal Court action" in Australia to stop tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis from "using Special K as part of a branding campaign across clothing and tennis wear," according to the Adelaide ADVERTISER. The matter "comes 17 months after Kellogg’s first lodged opposition against the Kokkinakis trademark." The company has the "rights to eight separate trademarks linked to the Special K brand." The Kokkinakis Special K trademark is "owned by a company controlled by his father Trevor." It is "understood the intention is to create a logo and brand for Kokkinakis in a similar way that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have created multimillion-dollar businesses marketing their own range of branded clothes and fragrances" (Adelaide ADVERTISER, 6/8). The AAP notes Judge Brigitte Markovic today sent the case to a "mediation conference in August." She also "allowed Kellogg’s extra time to amend its statement of claim and for Kokkinakis to file" a defense. Kokkinakis and fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who play doubles together, are "often referred to in the media as the Special Ks" (AAP, 6/8).
