German company objects to Tea Box's teapot logo

A German tea company is attempting to prevent a British caterer from using the logo of an English teapot.

German company Teekanne has objected to the teapot logo created by Jemma Swallow for the Tea Box in Richmond, even though the two companies' logos bear no likeness to each other.

The owners of the Tea Box have pointed out that if the German company wins its case, no British company will be able to use an image of an item traditionally associated with this country.

By Ian Boughton