Lady Godiva pub in Geneva in dispute against Godiva Chocolate

The Lady Godiva pub, Geneva. (Photo courtesy of the proprietor)

The Lady Godiva pub in the centre of Geneva is being challenged over the use of its name by Turkish-owned Belgian chocolate brand, Godiva. The chocolate company claims the pub is trading off its name and brand and has delivered a 90 day ultimatum to the pub owner to stop using the name and associated imagery. According to the Coventry Telegraph, the newspaper serving the historical city that was supposedly the home of Lady Godiva, the chocolate manufacturer claims it has no argument with tradesmen in the city who are using the name. This is a somewhat specious point since the legend of Lady Godiva riding naked through the city in protest against taxes, existed centuries before chocolate was even discovered in the new world.

Godiva Chocolate is no Turkish delight.

Nevetheless protestors from Coventry have launched a “Boycott Godiva Chocoate” campaign on Facebook.

The Geneva pub which has been running for over seven years is contesting the claim and has received voluble support from the likes of UK tabloid, the Daily Mail.

Godiva’s chocolate shop. Hong Kong branch. Photo: Wikipedia

Passing off can be a serious problem for businesses so Le News would be interested in your dispassionate views of whether Geneva’s Lady Godiva pub’s design and business is mimicking Godiva, the Turkish-owned brand’s retail chocolate chain.

Then all that remains to be seen is just how much the dispute will cost Godiva in terms of lost share-holder value and customer goodwill.