A spokesperson for THUS commented, "The Community Trade Mark Registry, responsible for processing trademark applications, has accepted the application for observations allowing THUS and other operators to challenge the claim.
THUS, as the first operator in the UK to have its next generation network in place, is taking action against the application for trademark registration of the term 'next generation networks' in Europe. This is not only a description of THUS' MPLS IP network, but also a generic term used by the industry.
It is quite extraordinary that this trademark application has progressed to this point. THUS will be presenting evidence that the term 'next generation networks' has been is common usage for some years and has become a generic description of the new wave of IP-based networks. THUS will be opposing this application and is calling on the industry and Ofcom to support it in this matter."