Chinawhite club defends brand

Fashionable London club Chinawhite is taking legal action to defend its trademark after a supplier launched an RTD using its name.

In the latest round of an eight-year legal battle, Firstfind, the operator of the Soho venue, has called in lawyers to stop the roll out of new rum-based drink China White, which has already gained listings in a number of pubs. It is understood that the supplier could also be making a bid to sell it in clubs.

The dispute dates back to 1998 when the club opened and its owners asked a former employee, Matt Rymer, to create a signature cocktail for the celebrity haunt.

A year later, Rymer's associate, Karl Harrison, set up China White Limited, with the intention of selling various drinks - including a bottled version of the cocktail - under the name.

Firstfind, which was formerly called Teton Valley Trading, and owns the rights to the Chinawhite name in the UK, eventually successfully quashed an appeal by Harrison to use the name.

But six years later, Firstfind could be back in court to defend its trademark.

In a statement, Firstfind said: "Chinawhite is aware of a cocktail drink being distributed.

"Chinawhite takes any infringement of the brand very seriously and it has instigated legal action to prevent any further abuse of the brand."

The Morning Advertiser was unable to contact China White Limited for a comment.