Sir Donald Bradman takes court action to protect his name

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2000
Sir Donald Bradman takes court action to protect his name

(EDS: CORRECTS NAME SENT EARLIER OF LAWYERS ACTING FOR SIR DONALD)



ADELAIDE, Aug 2 AAP - Cricket legend Sir Don Bradman has taken court action against
six companies he alleges are trying unfairly to take advantage of his name.

Sir Donald and The Bradman Foundation today launched action in the Federal Court against
six companies and two company directors.

Sir Donald and the foundation alleged the companies and directors used the name "Bradman"

in business names to mislead the public into believing they were associated with the famous
former cricketer and his charity foundation.

The new legal action by cricket's greatest batsman, now 91, comes after his lawyers
demanded an Adelaide restaurant owner drop plans to name her establishment the Bradman
Cafe Restaurant.

In today's 20-page statement of claim, Sir Donald and the foundation alleged the use
of his name breached the foundation's registered `Bradman' trademarks.

It also alleged the two company directors "aided and abetted" the conduct of the companies.

Sir Donald's legal firm, Allen Allen and Hemsley, said in a statement that legal action
was taken after attempts to resolve the matter out of court failed.

It said Sir Donald and the foundation wanted the court to restrain the companies from
misleading conduct; to order steps be taken to change their company names and for other
relief including an order for costs.

The companies and individuals named in the claim were: Bradman Corporation Pty Ltd;
Bradman Nangarin Pty Ltd; Bradman Cascades Pty Ltd; Bradman Camden Park Pty Ltd; Bradman
Wilton Park Pty Ltd; Bradman Building Pty Ltd; Lawrence John Graves and; Peter Phillip
Brennan.

Mr Graves is a director of Bradman Corporation and Mr Brennan is a director of all
six companies named.

Allen Allen and Hemsley said The Bradman Foundation, of Bowral in New South Wales,
was a charity organisation formed 10 years ago.

The foundation operates the Bradman Museum at Bowral and has entered into a network
of licences for a range of goods which use registered trade marks including the mark `Bradman'.

It said Sir Donald and the foundation alleged each of the six companies "incorporated
or traded or threatened to trade, in areas including southern NSW and near the town of
Bowral, under a company name which features prominently the name `Bradman'".

They alleged the use of the name was "in a manner which has misled, is misleading and
is likely to mislead members of the public into believing the goods and services of these
companies are associated in some way with Sir Donald and The Bradman Foundation".

The legal firm said Sir Donald and the foundation had no "association or involvement
whatsoever" with any of the companies or directors.

AAP sl/was/de

KEYWORD: BRADMAN NIGHTLEAD

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