IPKAT QUESTION: TRADE MARK BULLIES

The IPKat wants to know, what happens if I wrongfully use bullyboy tactics to persuade my competitors that they need to obtain a licence from me to use a symbol (X) even though legally they don't and, because of my efforts, the symbol acquires distinctiveness and consumers eventually view the mark as being my badge of origin. Does my misbehaviour earn me a valid trade mark registration?



As ever, please post your answers as comments below, or email them to theipkat@yahoo.co.uk.