Miss Teen World

The T.E.E.N. Competition (formerly Miss Teen World Competition) is an annual international beauty pageant held in the United States. After litigation with Miss World claiming the pageant was infringing on their trademark, in 2012 the title of the pageant became known as Miss T.E.E.N & Miss T.E.E.N. United States. In 2015 the title of the pageant was officially changed to Miss Teen Continents Pageants. The change was due to litigation from Mrs. United States in 2014, that trademark infringement had been violated, the owner of Mrs. United States Isabella was persuaded by Chris Wilmer the national director of Miss United States.

Contestants of the pageant include teen girls, with one contestant from each country. The winner is a representative for teen girls around the world. Winners crowned after the year 2011 will be called MISS T.E.E.N. (Miss Teen Continents).

Winners

Amy Jackson was crowned Miss Teen World 2009 in Houston, Texas at the Sheraton Hotel on August 23, 2008. She is from Liverpool England. The first runner up was Alexandra Kondarova (Moscow, Russia), the second runner-up was Natalia Kaplenko (Moscow, Russia), the third runner-up was Kseniya Kapinos (Ukraine) and the fourth runner-up was Megan Barney (Georgia, U.S.A). Her dream to become Miss World went unfulfilled when she failed to win Miss England 2010 to compete in the prestigious Miss World. She was the runner-up.

Tayla Robinson was crowned Miss Teen World 2010 in Houston, TX on August 29, 2009. She is from Cape Town, South Africa and is the first female from South Africa to capture this title. In 2010, she competed for Miss South Africa, ticket for Miss World but didn't win.

Anastasia Sidropouloua (Anna Maria) was crowned Miss Teen World 2011 in Houston, Texas on August 13, 2010. She is from Athens, Greece and is the first female from Greece to capture this title. She planned on using her title to do charity work all over the world. In 2012, she represented Greece at Miss Universe but failed to place.

Gabriele Marinho was crowned Miss Teen World 2012. She is a 17-year-old from Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil and is the first winner from Brazil.

Aleisha Robertson was crowned Miss T.E.E.N. 2012 in Houston, Texas, on June 30, 2012. She is from Auckland, New Zealand and is the first female from New Zealand to capture this title. She planned on using her title to do charity work all over the world. A total of 25 contestants competed for the title of Miss T.E.E.N. 2013.[4]

Illegitimacy

The Miss Teen World Pageant is independently produced by Gaspar Cruz and the Miss Teen World Organization.

Miss World Limited, the owner of a number of trade mark registrations for the mark MISS WORLD, won a judicial battle against a Teen pageant based in the USA. Among Miss World’s registrations is a United States trade mark for MISS WORLD (no. 877221), which was first registered on 5 April 1968. Therefore, there could never be a “Miss Teen World”, if not organized by the Miss World Organization.

Miss World Limited has extensively used and developed its brand over the past 60 years, which has become a famous and well-respected trademark. Over the years, many new pageants and so-called organizations have tried to take advantage of it (just like it happens with Miss Universe as well), so Miss World Limited has always strongly protected its brand and defended its long-standing exclusive rights to the MISS WORLD name and trade mark. After a two year Federal Court lawsuit and trial in the United States, Miss World won it and the pageant formerly known as “Miss Teen World” produced by Gaspar Cruz has no right to use such name any longer.

The Court found in favor of the Miss World organisation on all its claims of federal trade mark infringement, dilution and unfair competition. Crucially, United States District Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore also found that as a result of Miss World’s continuous usage and promotion, “the MISS WORLD mark has become well-known and famous in the United States and internationally”.

The Court also went on to find that Mr Cruz’s use of the word “world” as part of his competitions as a trade marked name or as a title for his pageant winners caused actual confusion amongst the public and led to actual contempt of the Court’s earlier injunction.

The United States litigation highlighted Mr Cruz’s unauthorised international licensing of “Miss Teen World” where third parties are using the “Miss Teen World” name to run branded competitions in their own countries. The Court order enjoined Mr Cruz and all those acting in concert with or behalf of him from a number of activities including using the “Miss Teen World” name or any name which is similar to the MISS WORLD mark or likely to dilute its distinctive quality. Miss World Limited takes the protection of its intellectual property and famous brand very seriously and will take any required action against an infringer of its MISS WORLD mark. Such judicial decision should set an example and stop others from stealing intellectual property from Miss Universe, Miss World, or any other pageant.


References

  1. ↑ SABC News: SA girl wins Miss Teen World title
  2. ↑ Anastasia Sidiropoulou wins the title Miss Teen World 2010
  3. ↑ http://www.teenwc.com/teens/2014-ashley-southern.html
  4. ↑ "Aleisha first Kiwi to win Miss Teen World". Auckland Now.
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