Pobjoy Mint has announced that it has changed the design of its ‘Britannia Rules the Waves – 2017’ commemorative coin due to a copyright infringement.
The bullion 1 crown coin, issued on behalf of the Falkland Islands by Pobjoy Mint, included the phrase “Britannia Rules the Waves” in its design to honour the soldiers that gave their lives for the sovereignty of their country.
However, it appears that the phrase “BRITANNIA” is already trademarked by the Royal Mint.
Pobjoy Mint released a statement on 18 July announcing that a trademark infringement necessitated the firm to remove the phrase “Britannia Rules the Waves” from the coin’s design. It has therefore stopped the production of the original design, and is now offering the coin excluding the phrase.
7,329 of the intended 50,000 coins have already been issued including the inscription. Within hours of the statement, online auction sellers acknowledged the design change and subsequently adjusted their prices for the original coins or stopped selling the coin altogether, due to the coin now being of limited mintage.
Related links
Pobjoy Mint website
