(1) Google LLC (Appellants/Defendants) v Shorts International Ltd (Respondents/Claimants) (2) Shorts International Ltd (Appellants) v Google LLC (Respondents)
Tuesday 10 – Wednesday 11 March 2026
(1) By an Appellant’s Notice filed on 28 January 2025, the Appellants, Google LLJ, cross-appeal a judgment from the High Court dated 31 October 2024 concerning its YouTube Shorts service.
The Claimant alleged that Google’s use of the word “shorts” infringed its trademarks and amounted to passing off, while Google argued that “shorts” was descriptive of short‑form content and that Shorts International Ltd’s (SIL) marks were invalid or unused.
The Judge found that “shorts” referred broadly to short‑form audiovisual content and that although most of SIL’s trademarks incorporating “shorts” were valid, they had low inherent distinctiveness and limited reputation in the UK. The Judge also held there was no passing off because Google’s signs did not misrepresent its service as originating from SIL.
Google argues that the judge wrongly upheld the validity of several SIL trademarks.
(2) By an Appellant’s Notice filed on 28 January 2025, the Appellants, Shorts International Ltd (SIL) appeals a judgment from the High Court dated 31 October 2024 concerning Google’s use of “shorts” for its YouTube Shorts service
The Claimant alleged that Google’s use of the word “shorts” infringed its trademarks and amounted to passing off, while Google argued that “shorts” was descriptive of short‑form content and that Shorts International Ltd’s (SIL) marks were invalid or unused.
The Judge found that “shorts” referred broadly to short‑form audiovisual content and that although most of SIL’s trademarks incorporating “shorts” were valid, they had low inherent distinctiveness and limited reputation in the UK. The Judge also held there was no passing off because Google’s signs did not misrepresent its service as originating from SIL. Consequently, SIL’s claims failed.
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Day 1
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