Can you trademark an idea/concept/format?

[didds]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45515806

In a nutshell the England and wales Cricket Board (ECB) has devised a new format of cricket called "the Hundred" - a match of 100 deliveries per innings. They have applied for trademark in several countries now, and that link suggests that this means anybody wanting to emulate that format (100 balls per innings) in those countries will have to pay the ECB to do so.

My question then is... Can a concept/idea/format be trademarked? In my extremely limited and ignorant knowledge of such things isn't the name "The Hundred" what gets trademarked?

Secondary question @: if the concept can be trademarked what would stop somebody from offering a new format of 101 balls? Or 99 balls? As presumably that would not come under such a concept trademark ?


didds

[PinkDalek]

Why not ask on Legal Issues?

[didds]

DOH! Of course! I'll add a X-post there.

tx

didds

Moderator Message:
Best answered on Legal (https://www.lemonfool.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13701). Locked here to avoid confusion. (chas49)