More blogsRecent blogs
How Chinese brands can overcome low awareness and stigma among US consumers
A third of US consumers would not purchase a branded product if they knew the brand belonged to a Chinese company, a recent survey has found. The findings underline the difficulty that Chinese brand owners face in penetrating the US market – so what can be done from a trademark perspective to gain a foothold?
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May 16 2013
MARQUES gives gTLDs green light in debate on safeguards
As ICANN’s public comment period to solicit input on how the GAC advice regarding additional safeguards applicable to broad categories of new gTLD strings should be addressed drew to a close, there was a rush of submissions. As a representative of all brand owners, MARQUES has urged a compromise that will allow the online expansion to follow current timelines.
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May 15 2013
The local benefits of Madrid: selling the Protocol
Last week WTR sat down with representatives of Colombia, Mexico and New Zealand’s IP offices. All three have acceded to the Madrid system in the past 12 months and spoke positively about the transition. However, prior to acceding some resistance was experienced from domestic private practitioners fearful of the impact that a one-stop international registration shop could have on their own prosecution practice. The message from the Philippines national office? Change is good – and can actually provide a boost to local firms.
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May 14 2013
More updatesUpdates
MoU on sale of counterfeits online works, but constant vigilance is needed
The European Commission has issued its report on the functioning of the MoU on the Sale of Counterfeit Goods via the Internet. Signed in 2011, the purpose of the MoU is to establish a code of practice in the fight against the sale of counterfeit goods online and to enhance collaboration among its signatories. The report shows that the approach adopted by the MoU works, but highlights the need for internet platforms and rights holders to remain alert.
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May 17 2013
Germany
Kraft Foods successfully defends Milka pack shapes
Kraft Foods has again successfully defended trademark infringement and unfair competition claims by competitor Ritter. The Cologne Appeal Court confirmed the first-instance decision of the Cologne District Court which had dismissed all of Ritter’s claims. Ritter challenged a variant of the ‘double-pack’ Milka chocolate, as well as Kraft’s Lila Tender and Lila Pause products.
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May 17 2013
Switzerland
'Inside' mark found to be confusingly similar to Intel’s INTEL INSIDE
The Federal Administrative Court has held that there was a likelihood of confusion between the marks GALDAT INSIDE and INTEL INSIDE with regard to data carriers in Class 9 and the development of computer hardware in Class 42, but not with regard to other goods and services in Classes 9, 38, 35 and 42.
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May 17 2013
European Union
General Court considers surprising pleas under ECHR
In Metropolis Inmobiliarias y Restauraciones SL v OHIM, the General Court has considered interesting pleas in law in a case involving the trademarks METRO and METROINVEST. Among other things, Metropolis alleged that the Board of Appeal of OHIM had failed to state reasons under Article 6 of the ECHR and had violated the principle of equal treatment under Article 14.
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May 16 2013
International
2013 USTR Special 301 report - some improvement for Southeast Asian countries
The 2013 US Trade Representative’s Special 301 Report is out and, for Southeast Asia, the news is generally one of improvement. Indonesia and Thailand remain on the Priority Watch List, while the Philippines and Vietnam are on the Watch List, but there are positive aspects in the report.
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May 16 2013
Slovenia
SIPO confirms that TEFLON is well-known trademark
The Slovenian Intellectual Property Office has refused to register the trademark VEFLON based on five earlier TEFLON marks. SIPO held that, although TEFLON has been present on the Slovenian market for half a century and is well known to Slovenian consumers, it could not be concluded that it had become generic. On the contrary, SIPO concluded that TEFLON was a well-known trademark benefiting from enhanced protection.
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May 16 2013
