Visit IAM Logo
Subscribe now
Headlines suggest Toyota is shying away from Olympics, but reality is very different

In this week’s opinion column, we reflect on the news that Toyota is scaling back its promotional activity around the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Headlines suggest Toyota is shying away from Olympics, but reality is very different
Scammed out of $150,000: allegations of fraud, threats and USPTO impersonation by entity linked to Trademark Terminal
23 Jul 2021

Scammed out of $150,000: allegations of fraud, threats and USPTO impersonation by entity linked to Trademark Terminal

A family in the US has revealed to WTR the trauma of losing $150,000 to a company based in Pakistan, with allegations of threats that have the couple fearing for their safety.

Starbucks’ brand manual is something smaller companies should aspire to
23 Jul 2021

Starbucks’ brand manual is something smaller companies should aspire to

The coffee chain sets a strong example for the benefits of having clear branding guidelines

Featured

23 Jul
2021

Is Pirelli’s ‘tyre groove’ trademark valid?

The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued its decision in the decade-long dispute between Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli Tyre SpA and Japanese company The Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd. Read more

23 Jul
2021

Domain name disputes in Thailand: how to deal with the pitfalls of the country’s domain registration policy

Domain name disputes sometimes arise between trademark owners and Thai-registered companies that exploit the gaps in Thailand’s current domain registration policy. As demonstrated in a recent dispute, court proceedings are not the only option for mark owners. Read more

23 Jul
2021

Puma settles ‘Roar’ logo dispute; UKIPO warns about priority filings; ECTA creates SME task force – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Philadelphia customs officials seizing counterfeit auto parts, a US Senator introducing a resolution commemorating increased anti-counterfeiting efforts, and much more. Read more

Most read

1

“Set an example for other developing nations” – new call for plain packaging in India

2

Gmail offers authenticated brand logos; UKIPO launches bulk renewal service; L’Occitane wins in China – news digest

3

WTR Global Leaders: Private Practice

4

Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis

5

Lil Nas X spoofs trademark dispute trial; ICANN72 goes virtual; Joe Exotic brand-building venture – news digest

News

View all
22 Jul 2021

Vodka wars, a crackdown on squatters and more: Asia-Pacific Legal Updates you may have missed

WTR’s Legal Updates are written by a select panel of over 160 leading experts who analyse the latest trademark-related developments and decisions in more than 60 jurisdictions. Read more

22 Jul 2021

Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis

As the novel coronavirus epidemic continues to spread across the globe, WTR provides an updated look at measures that national IP offices have launched in response. Read more

21 Jul 2021

“Set an example for other developing nations” – new call for plain packaging in India

A newly-published study is urging the Indian government to implement plain packaging on all tobacco products, claiming it is “a public issue” due to an ongoing smoking epidemic in India. Read more

20 Jul 2021

Lil Nas X spoofs trademark dispute trial; ICANN72 goes virtual; Joe Exotic brand-building venture – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Cincinnati Customs seizing fake Apple AirPods, warnings over counterfeit cannabis, Ermenegildo Zegna Group going public, and much more. Read more

Analysis

View all
22 Jul 2021

Why design patents are such a potent weapon for US enforcement

The Long Read: Applications for US design patents have increased by 50% over the past decade. Debevoise & Plimpton’s Megan Bannigan, Justin Ferrone and Anna Rennich analyse why so many brand owners are taking this route to bypass trade dress obstacles. Read more

21 Jul 2021

The case for consumers: call for legal reform to provide standing to trademark stakeholders

A new study has found that the current Lanham Act “may not be a perfect fit to all sectors of the market”, especially in situations when a consumer’s reliance on a trademark may cause them reputational or financial harm. Read more

15 Jul 2021

“Nothing has changed” – concern over stalled efforts to close counterfeit factories in China

Despite reports of increased police raids of factories producing counterfeit goods in China, experts on the ground have told WTR that there is little sign of a recent rise in legal enforcement. Read more

14 Jul 2021

Three ways to create and maintain an effective D&I strategy, from Kirkland & Ellis

IP practice group partner and Diversity and Inclusion Committee co-chair Ellisen Shelton Turner reveals how Kirkland & Ellis ensures the professional development of all its employees, before offering his top tips for an effective diversity and inclusion strategy. Read more

Legal updates

22 Jul 2021

Trouble in paradise (island)? No double territoriality requirement for EU trademark use

This decision of the First Board of Appeal of the EUIPO provides a useful explanation of the territoriality aspect of the genuine use requirement. Read more

22 Jul 2021

IP Vietnam implements more flexible requirements regarding authorised signatories in IP procedures

Meeting the requirements set forth by Notice No 13822 with regard to authorised signatories has proven challenging - or even impossible - for many overseas IP rights holders. IP Vietnam has now relaxed these requirements by issuing Notice No 6959. Read more

21 Jul 2021

UDRP: caution required for less fanciful trademarks

UDRP complainants should exercise caution when their trademarks are not completely fanciful, especially where the marks also consist of dictionary terms in certain languages. Read more

21 Jul 2021

No stop for NOMAD

The General Court found that the relevant public would not immediately perceive the word ‘nomad’ as referring to the idea of travel and, in any event, this would not emphasise a positive quality of the goods. Read more

20 Jul 2021

Court of Appeal: directors jointly and severally liable as accessories, but only liable to account for own profits

In this appeal arising from a trademark dispute involving two POLO CLUB marks, the Court of Appeal has considered for the first time whether accessories should be liable to account not only for their individual salaries, but also for the principal's profits. Read more

Insight

2 Jul 2021

Top tips for how brand owners can work with online platforms to fight counterfeiting

WTR’s Global Leaders set out an eight-point checklist for what rights holders and e-commerce sites can do to take meaningful action against the online trade in fake goods. Read more

1 Jul 2021

“Do not be afraid to take risks”: leading in-house counsel reveal the secrets to their success

WTR’s Global Leaders share personal insights into how they got to where they are today and offer advice to those considering the same career path. Read more

30 Jun 2021

The Chinese IP protection landscape looks bright – but more still needs to be done

Leading trademark practitioners discuss how the Chinese IP regime is improving for brand owners and, crucially, what the key areas of focus should be next. Read more

24 Jun 2021

How to work with Customs – six key tips for brand owners

IP practitioners in Europe, Central America and the United States discuss how brand owners can work with Customs to clamp down on counterfeiting in their region. Read more

Events

View all
21-22 October
2021

ECTA Annual Conference

SAVE THE DATE - ECTA’s 39th Annual Conference will be held on 21 and 22 October 2021 in Vienna in a hybrid format. You will share two days of intensive networking and learning opportunities on the latest trends in trade mark, design law and beyond with numerous professionals and officials from all over the world. We hope to welcome many friends and colleagues, physically and virtually at this event. ECTA members can participate at a reduced fee! More information about the programme and registration will follow in due course.

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