New Magazine gets on competitor's Wick

Launch delayed as legal action forces name change

Plans for a new local glossy magazine have been delayed by the threat of legal action. The Wick Magazine was planning to print its first issue for publication this September. However Highbury House Communications the publishers of the Green Magazine threatened to sue over the title. The Green used to be known as The Wick. It is Highbury House's view that the new mag would be trading on the name of their earlier publication.

Neil McKelvie, editor of the new magazine said, "We strongly disagree. However, rather than becoming embroiled in a lengthy court action - frankly, as a local publisher, our financial resources cannot compare with those of a national communications group - we have chosen to be pro-active and change our name. "

The publication will now be called Westside and the first issue will be out in October. It is promising to have more editorial and articles with a lower amount of advertising. It will serve the areas of Acton, Chiswick, Ealing, Brentford, Hammersmith, Shepherd�s Bush and Brook Green.

Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim were unavailable for comment as to whether they would be suing over the use of the word Westside.

August 22, 2003