AN ENTREPRENEUR from Hereford has issued a warning to would-be trademark copycats following a decisive court victory.

Stacey Bramhall is a Director and Partner at 'male order' company Butlers in the Buff, whose scantily-clad butlers are now available for hire in four different countries.

The woman who went to Kingstone High School has spoken out after the company was awarded damages and costs when winning their trademark infringement case against Newquay and Portsmouth company Bufflers and its owner Adam Davey.

The legal action was launched in August 2018, after a 2017 letter objecting to Bufflers' use of Butlers in the Buff's registered marks received a non-complicit response from Mr Davey.

The action sought to prevent the imitation company's continued misuse of the Butlers in the Buff trademark online.

Bufflers was found to be unfairly taking advantage of Butlers in the Buff's brand name and reputation, built up over their 18 years in business.

Last October, Butlers in the Buff settled out of court to restrict Bufflers or anyone acting on its behalf from infringing their registered trademarks and from using their marks or similar on websites and marketing literature.

"I want to get our story out there so people know it's not acceptable to use others' trademarked names," Mrs Bramhall said.

"We have worked very hard to build our business up to what it is today and we are very proud of our fantastic brand.

"It's not right that other companies try to confuse the public by trying to pass themselves off as Butlers in the Buff.

"It is unfair to our business and more importantly, to the general public who believe they are booking a genuine Butler in the Buff."

She added: "We take trademark infringement very seriously and are dedicated to protecting the brand.

"We continue to work closely with our lawyers to maintain the integrity of the brand and to curb any infringement of it, be that online or in person."