The Tolkien Estate has taken action against the developer of a cryptocurrency called “JRR Token”, which was launched in August 2021.
The product infringed the Estate’s trademark rights to the JRR Tolkien name and made other use of the intellectual property in JRR Tolkien’s world-famous works.
The Estate recovered the domain name <jrrtoken.com> via the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) arbitration procedure, with the developer unsuccessfully opposing the claim.[1]
The Estate subsequently obtained the developer’s undertaking to cease all operations under the offending name and delete the infringing content from all relevant websites and social media accounts.
The developer, based in the United States, has paid the Estate’s US and UK legal costs in an undisclosed sum.
The Estate’s solicitor, Steven Maier, said: “The Tolkien Estate is vigilant in preventing unauthorised parties from taking advantage of the JRR Tolkien name and the content of JRR Tolkien’s literary works. This was a particularly flagrant case of infringement, and the Estate is pleased that it has been concluded on satisfactory terms.”
The Estate has recently taken legal action against other providers of tourist services, accommodation, and merchandise making unauthorised use of the Tolkien and JRR Tolkien names.
The Tolkien Estate is represented by Maier Blackburn Solicitors. Klaris Law acted in the US.
[1] https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/text/2021/d2021-2571.html
