Canal+ To Take Legal Action Against French Broadcaster TF1 For The Use Of "+" On Its Streaming Service

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TF1+ is the new streaming platform that offers a replay experience, but also films, series and shows on almost all media. Appearing on January 8, 2024 to replace the old name “MyTF1”, TF1+ has the same objective as its predecessor, to offer an improved experience of TF1’s original content as well as a streaming-type experience to compete with giants like Netflix, Prime Video or Apple TV+. If this strategy has nothing to be sued, it is the name “TF1+” that poses a problem. Canal+ has just sued the channel because it does not have the right (according to Canal) to use the “+” sign.

TF1+, the new name that created a scandal at the Canal group

In 2019, Disney+ was starting to make a lot of noise in the streaming world. With a launch in the United States, then in France, the Canal group did not look favorably on the fact that the American giant used the acronym “+” in France. The group then tried to oppose Disney+ by appealing to National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI)After investigation, he concluded that Disney+ did not pose any problem and that the acronym “+” did not belong to Canal+.

Five years after this affair, the Canal+ group still assures that the acronym “+” is not a simple indicator of quality or a more complete catalog, it is an acronym that belongs to it and that does not have to be used by another company in France, at least in the world of streaming!

Today, the Canal group prefers to ignore the final opinion of the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) and take TF1 to court for using the acronym “+”. The Canal group denounces a practice that confuses consumers and is even demanding compensation of… 57 million euros from TF1. This absolutely enormous sum is linked to the importance that Canal+ gives to its brand.

TF1+ began to exist on January 8, 2024 and has always stood out from Canal+ by never referring to its competitor and by offering unique programming focused on its own exclusive and original content, adapted to a wide audience.

This assignment is likely to last several months, but the Canal group does not intend to give up, because the company believes that the acronym “+” belongs to it following the filing of the trademark “Canal+” on November 4, 1982 with the INPI.