Monopoly on a W

Can you own the exclusive right to a single letter W? Yes – at least when it comes to hospitality services. On October 10, EUIPO decided that a new mark belonging to a Polish hospitality entrepreneur – featuring a stylised W – infringes the letter W trademark owned by Starwood Hotels, the company behind the well-known W Hotels brand. So: stay away from the W, at least if you’re in the hospitality business.