Visit IAM Logo
Subscribe now
USPTO fee rises: registry bombarded with letters from graphic designers and small business owners

The USPTO has received hundreds of letters in relation to its proposal to change various trademark fees. Many originate from the Trademark Watch Dawgs group, although one attorney claims that it is the result of an astroturfing campaign.

USPTO fee rises: registry bombarded with letters from graphic designers and small business owners
16 Oct 2019

Global trademark growth slowing as China continues to dominate – breaking down the WIPO Indicators 2019 report

WIPO has published World Intellectual Property Indicators 2019, charting the growth of global IP filing for 2018. WTR presents key takeaways from the trademark data.

16 Oct 2019

Amazon hits back at AAFA notorious markets submission with rare public rebuttal

Amazon has issued a strongly worded response to the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s call for a number of its non-US platforms to be included in the next Office of the US Trade Representative's Notorious Markets List.

Featured

16 Oct
2019

Federal Circuit withdraws ruling on trademark preclusion of ITC determinations

In response to a petition for rehearing, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has vacated part of an earlier precedential decision noting the lack of preclusive effect of trademark decisions issued by the International Trade Commission. Read more

16 Oct
2019

Lost in translation? Board of Appeal should have considered Italian and Spanish-speaking public

In Vafo Praha sro v EUIPO, the EU General Court has annulled a decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of the EUIPO finding that there was no likelihood of confusion between the marks MEATLOVE and CARNILOVE. Read more

16 Oct
2019

Tackling bullying and sexual harassment in the legal workplace: exclusive interview with Kieran Pender 

The International Bar Association released a groundbreaking study on bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession earlier this year. WTR caught up with the project's leader, Kieran Pender, in the midst of a global awareness campaign centred on this problem rife within the industry.  Read more

Most reads

1

Brexit, trade wars and political turmoil: what dominated the 2019 Nation Brand report

2

Associations call for WeChat inclusion on USTR’s Notorious Markets List

3

Prince estate hits out at Trump, warning for IP event vendors, and Riot dispute: news digest

4

NBA crisis highlights the China conundrum for all brands

5

Egypt registry delays trademark fee increase, Slayer brand, and Joker licence controversy: news digest

News

View all
15 Oct 2019

KIPO warns of Brexit damage, fake water filters, and call for fast-food packaging regulations: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Saks partnering with Authentic Brands to acquire Barneys, the Consortium for Common Food Names being granted observer status at WIPO, the UKIPO publishing advice on IP rights after Brexit, and much more. Read more

15 Oct 2019

Alibaba commended, PIPCU needs you, RPMs review update: takeaways from Brand Protection Online Europe

WTR held its inaugural Brand Protection Online Europe in London yesterday, which featured speakers from brands including Alibaba, PayPal, Superdry and Tommy Hilfiger. We share a variety of takeaways from the day. Read more

14 Oct 2019

More justification needed: proposed USPTO trademark fee increases could hinder small businesses

In an exclusive guest post, IP expert Erik Pelton explains how the proposed fee increases being mooted by the US Patent and Trademark Office could have a severe impact for small businesses. Read more

13 Oct 2019

NBA backlash over Hong Kong tweet; associations target WeChat; crowd-shipping counterfeits threat; plus much more

Everything we covered on WTR over the last seven days – and all you need to know from the world of trademarks to set yourself up for the start of another busy week. Read more

Analysis

View all
14 Oct 2019

Eight counterfeit hotspots in Argentina that brand owners should be aware of

In the latest edition of our regular series on marketplaces around the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to Argentina. Read more

11 Oct 2019

Online betting heats up in the US with string of M&A activity

Flutter Entertainment’s acquisition of The Stars Group would show that, despite uncertainty, major players in the gambling industry see the newly liberated US as a high-growth market. Read more

10 Oct 2019

Brexit, trade wars and political turmoil: what dominated the 2019 Nation Brand report

Brand Finance has released its annual Nation Brand report, which sees notable movement from developing countries – highlighting the economic shift powered by innovation in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Read more

10 Oct 2019

Counterfeit hotspots in Malta that brand owners should have on their enforcement radar

In the next part of our regular series on marketplaces around the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to the Mediterranean island of Malta. Read more

Legal updates

15 Oct 2019

Peruvian Criminal Court issues important precedent on IP rights

In a case involving fake goods bearing the ADIDAS trademark and Disney characters, Peru’s Second IP Criminal Court has sentenced the defendant to an effective imprisonment term of four years. Read more

15 Oct 2019

Broader protection for GIs used on agricultural products

Recently published regulations in South Africa make provision for the registration of GIs that identify agricultural products as originating in South Africa or in a foreign country.   Read more

14 Oct 2019

No remedy for failure to prove bad faith at time of domain name registration

A recent UDRP decision involving the domain name ‘aizel.com’ highlights the importance of proving bad faith at the time of registration of a domain name, especially when the complainant’s trademark did not yet exist at that time. Read more

14 Oct 2019

General Court confirms invalidity of trademark consisting of 2D depiction of shape of goods that performs a technical function

In Roxtec AB v EUIPO, the EU General Court has upheld a decision of the Second Board of Appeal of the EUIPO finding that a figurative trademark depicting a black square containing seven concentric blue circles was invalid. Read more

11 Oct 2019

Second user vaping company has no claim to AFFLICTION

The US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit has found that the district court had erred in finding that there was no likelihood of confusion between the mark AFFLICTION for apparel and the mark VAPE AFFLICTION for vaping accessories. Read more

Insight

30 Sep 2019

ECJ case law displays nuanced understanding of comparative advertising

A case from the European Court of Justice offers invaluable guidance for what is acceptable in comparative advertising, especially when it comes to comparing the prices of goods sold in different types and sizes of outlet. Read more

30 Sep 2019

China's Anti-unfair Competition Law: cracking down on malicious infringement in advertising

Recent amendments to China’s Anti-unfair Competition Law have seen legal compensation rise from Rmb3 million to Rmb5 million, which goes some way to addressing the significant cost of stopping infringement. Read more

30 Sep 2019

Building an effective enforcement strategy to fight unfair competition in advertising

In the fight against unfair marketing practices, businesses operating in Russia would be well advised to understand the correlation between unfair advertising and unfair competition and to take account of the relevant legal provisions so as to build up an effective enforcement strategy. Read more

30 Sep 2019

Unfair competition in Mexico: how to play by the rules in advertising’s commercial battles

Competitive advertising strategies should prompt healthy commercial battles and bring out the best in advertising, yet some still use advertising to confuse and mislead customers. Mexico’s unfair competition legislation defends the rights of victims to dubious advertising practices. Read more

Events

View all
14 October
2019
Latest

Brand Protection Online Europe

After a successful debut in the United States, World Trademark Review (WTR) is bringing Brand Protection Online to Europe this October! Brand Protection Online Europe (14 October, London) will provide a unique forum for in-house counsel to discuss the challenges, opportunities and risks being faced as online and technological environments continue to evolve.

4 December
2019
Latest

IPBC Latin America 2019

In its second year, IAM’s IPBC Latin America heads to São Paulo to showcase and explore winning strategies for managing the IP lifecycle to maximise corporate value. Rights holders from Latin America and beyond will delve into the best practices, enforcement techniques and monetisation options that can be utilised to craft world-class IP management and value creation programmes.

28 January
2020
Latest

Managing Trademark Assets Europe 2020

WTR’s Managing Trademark Assets Europe will bring together trademark counsel and brand experts from a variety of industries. It will provide a space in which to benefit from new insights, discuss best practice and share cutting-edge strategies for cost-effectively building and protecting brands.

Data centre

Research projects tracking the latest market trends for trademark professionals.

Thought leadership

World Trademark Review offers an extensive range of special reports.

Why subscribe?

Our unique and timely intelligence service informs commercial trademark decision making in boardrooms globally by translating trademark law into business sense.

Subscribe now
We use cookies on www.worldtrademarkreview.com. By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device. For further information please read our cookie policy and our terms and conditions.