FCUK controversy

Campaign branded 'tasteless and obnoxious' by UK high court judge Ads banned in Vancouver after bus drivers label them 'workplace harassment' Singapore authorities call for them to be toned down Conservative Future UK banned from using initials

Mr Williams said the company would concentrate its push into the Far East in Japan.

The group signed a three-year retail agreement with D'Urban Inc of Japan in November.

"We have used the FCUK campaign in Japan for the launch of the new store, adapted wording-wise but still in English," Mr Williams said.

'Tasteless and obnoxious'

The FCUK logo, created by high-profile adman Trevor Beattie, whose TBWA agency recently landed the British Labour Party's advertising account, is widely credited with turning the fashion retailer's fortunes around.

The company saw its profits increase by 84% in the first half of 1999, which it attributed directly to the launch of the campaign in Britain.

The British Advertising Standards Authority received 27 complaints about the logo on its launch.

And a British judge branded the campaign "tasteless and obnoxious" during a court case involving the company.

The launch of the campaign in Singapore caused widespread outrage, and the company was asked to modify it.

In March last year, the ads were removed from buses in Vancouver when bus drivers complained they amounted to "workplace harassment".

French Connection has also had to go to court to prevent would-be copycats, including the former young Conservatives organisation, Conservative Future UK.