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With a combined worth approaching £400million, it’s easy to see why the Beckhams would be protective of anything that might impact on their earnings.
And former Spice Girl Victoria, 48, has just made clear her moniker is not to be messed with – after triumphing in two domain-name disputes with a couple of websites attempting to profit from using her name.
According to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, the World Intellectual Property Organisation has ruled in favour of the singer-turned-fashion designer over two Chinese websites using the domain names wearvictoriabeckham.com and victoriabeckhamshop.com.
In her complaint against the former, Victoria, who is described as ‘a British singer, fashion designer, television personality and member of Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ had taken issue with the said domain name being ‘confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights’.
The website was subsequently ‘presumed to have registered and used the Domain Name in bad faith’.
Wins: Victoria Beckham has triumphed in two domain-name disputes with a couple of websites attempting to profit from using her name
Victoria’s concern over ‘victoriabeckhamshop’, meanwhile, was even greater, accusing it of effectively selling fake goods under the guise of being official Beckham merchandise.
The documents state it was: ‘Operating as an e-commerce website, selling what the Complainant presumes to be counterfeit products, due to their heavily discounted prices and the lack of disclaimer and false suggestions of affiliation.’
The end result is that both domain names have now been confiscated from the original registrant and taken down.
Although still a juggernaut when it comes to generating money, Brand Beckham has taken a bit of a kicking in recent times.
Former England captain David, 47, was heavily criticised for taking £10million to be an ambassador for Qatar ahead of the World Cup, owing to the Gulf State’s appalling record on human rights, particularly against women and the LGBTQ+ community.
There have also been concerns over Victoria’s fashion empire, which furloughed staff during the Covid-19 lockdown.
She launched her fashion label in 2008 with a small collection of dresses but it swiftly grew to an extensive range that now includes handbags, coats, shoes and accessories.
But according to The Mirror, accounts for Victoria Beckham Holdings Ltd show it made losses of £5,887,036 in 2021, down from £8,581,944 in 2020.
Triumph: The WIPO has ruled in favour of the singer-turned-fashion designer over two Chinese websites using the domain names wearvictoriabeckham.com and victoriabeckhamshop.com
This means overall losses for the firm stand at £66.3m since its launch in 2008 and directors of the firm – including Victoria and her husband David – were not paid a dividend.
The study says: ‘The loss for the year, after taxation and minority interests, amounted to £5,887,036 (2020 – loss of £8,581,944).
‘During the 2021 financial year the ultimate shareholders provided additional loans of £0.6m to the group.’
The luxury fashion business has expanded to Europe and the Middle East, with the annual accounts saying the brand was also expanding into new products, with the launch of leather goods and the VB Body range.
A company spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘The shareholders continue to support and invest in the business for growth. The balance sheet is good, there is no bank debt.’
Hard times: Brand Beckham has taken a bit of a kicking in recent times, after David, 47, was heavily criticised for taking £10million to be an ambassador for Qatar ahead of the World Cup
Designer: There have also been concerns over Victoria’s fashion empire, which furloughed staff during the Covid-19 lockdown
CEO, Marie Leblanc added: ‘2021 saw the successful repositioning of Victoria Beckham Limited and 2022 is set to be an even stronger year.
‘We have entered a new chapter for the business and our energy is focused on accelerating growth and taking the brand to its full potential.
‘With the successful launch of leather goods in 2022 and the continuous acceleration of sales growth in Beauty, we have high expectations.’
Despite the big losses, the Beckham’s global empire reportedly doubled its profits. Annual accounts filed with Companies House showed the pair made £11.6m in the year ending December 2020 despite the pandemic – compared to £4.5m in 2019.
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