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App takedowns are the new cease and desist dilemma, and require careful strategising

In our Saturday opinion piece, we consider recent backlashes against app marketplace takedown actions – and the resulting media coverage.

App takedowns are the new cease and desist dilemma, and require careful strategising
Major Leagues rely on new-age media to boost engagement and strengthen brand equity
26 Feb 2021

Major Leagues rely on new-age media to boost engagement and strengthen brand equity

The top sports leagues in the US are social media savvy, and their trademark portfolios reflect their unique branding circumstances

United States tumbles down Brand Finance Soft Power Index due to covid-19 response
26 Feb 2021

United States tumbles down Brand Finance Soft Power Index due to covid-19 response

In a star-studded launch event, Brand Finance held a virtual conference with speakers including Hilary Rodham Clinton, Carl Bildt, and David Miliband.

Featured

26 Feb
2021

Taylor Swift takes on Evermore Park; Pakistan joins Madrid System; LVMH buys Jay-Z brand – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Danone expanding its brand portfolio, USPTO seeking public feedback on the Trademark Modernisation Act, and much more. Read more

26 Feb
2021

General Court rejects late amendment of list of goods

This decision of the General Court highlights that, if an applicant wishes to overcome a distinctiveness issue by amending the list of goods/services, this should be done at the first instance. Read more

26 Feb
2021

Trademark implications of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021

Late last year the US Congress signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 into law. This act incorporates the Trademark Modernisation Act 2020, which includes many notable revisions to the Lanham Act. Read more

Most read

1

USPTO users targeted in massive fraud and money laundering case in Pakistan

2

Concern grows over low-cost trademark agencies in wake of USPTO fraud case

3

Reaction to Peloton genericism lawsuit; counterfeits seized in Louisville; Daimler trademark issue – news digest

4

Session line-ups for WTR Connect revealed, fireside chat with WIPO director general kicks off event

5

EUIPO ditches fax and CDs; JPO implements earthquake procedures; Reebok brand up for sale – news digest

News

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25 Feb 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

24 Feb 2021

How WTR is evolving to deliver even more business-critical news and intelligence

Since WTR's move from print to digital magazines last year, we have been continually thinking of new ways to make our content even better, as well as the most effective ways to deliver it to our subscribers. Read more

23 Feb 2021

USPTO users targeted in massive fraud and money laundering case in Pakistan

US trademark applicants appear to be victims of what has been described as “the biggest money laundering case in the history of Pakistan”, involving low-cost trademark filing platforms that allegedly sent fake USPTO certificates to clients. Read more

23 Feb 2021

Concern grows over low-cost trademark agencies in wake of USPTO fraud case

New evidence suggests that other low-cost trademark platforms could be linked to an allegedly fraudulent organisation, which in total have filed thousands of trademark applications at the USPTO over the past 12 months. Read more

Analysis

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25 Feb 2021

New Zealand far-right group’s use of certification mark demonstrates importance of politically minded enforcement

WTR spoke to brand experts on what recourse Buy New Zealand Made has available, as well as when entering the political fray is necessary to protect a mark’s reputation. Read more

20 Feb 2021

Consolidation continues in IP services sector but further tech innovation expected (not least from law firms)

In our Saturday opinion piece, we consider recent activity in the non-legal IP services market. Read more

19 Feb 2021

“A regressive step” – outcry at new Indian government bill to abolish IP Appellate Board

The lower house of Indian Parliament has introduced a "surprise" bill that proposes to abolish India’s IP Appellate Board, a move that could have a profound impact for domestic and international trademark owners. Read more

18 Feb 2021

NovumIP launches into US market as next step in plan to become “one of the top three IP service providers worldwide”

Speaking to WTR, NovumIP chair Reinhard Ottway expands on the company’s plans, with expansion into Asia in its sights. Read more

Legal updates

25 Feb 2021

New Balance wins landmark legal battle in fight against copycat

New Balance has won a major legal battle against one of China’s most prolific copycats, New Barlun, with a Shanghai court awarding New Balance damages of Rmb25 million - the largest amount that the company has ever received in China. Read more

25 Feb 2021

New mandatory precedent regarding the use of a trademark consisting of packaging

In cancellation proceedings involving a trademark consisting of the Sunny Girl dolls packaging, Peru's Administrative Court of Appeals has established a new mandatory precedent concerning the proof of use of a trademark consisting of packaging. Read more

24 Feb 2021

General Court confirms lack of likelihood of confusion between PANTHÉ and PANTHER in Class 25

In an arguably surprising decision, the General Court has agreed with the EUIPO that there was no likelihood of confusion between the figurative mark PANTHÉ and earlier word and figurative marks PANTHER in Class 25. Read more

24 Feb 2021

New regulations set to alter enterprise name registration in China

China has amended its Regulations on the Administration of Enterprise Name Registration, which will come into effect on 1 March 2021. The updated regulations offer several provisions that rights holders can use to prevent businesses piggybacking on their reputation. Read more

23 Feb 2021

NOTHING BUT strong evidence of confusion will suffice in a New Zealand spill-over reputation case

This decision of the assistant commissioner demonstrates both the strengths and pitfalls of New Zealand’s unique ‘reverse onus’ opposition ground. Read more

Insight

12 Dec 2020

Why Mexico needs clearer publicity rights

With image rights protected mainly by the Federal Copyright Law, the overlap between an individual’s right to control use of their image and the automatic copyright established on behalf of an author can lead to courtroom conflicts. Read more

12 Dec 2020

EU image rights: when the product is us

In the absence of a harmonised EU law on image rights, individuals are forced to rely on a combination of copyright and human rights claims to protect their most unique asset online – their own image. Read more

12 Dec 2020

My name, my face, your trademark? Protecting publicity and image rights in China

A series of high-profile cases has seen publicity and image rights in the spotlight in recent years. Although the laws protecting these rights can be broad, a well-thought-out strategy with evidence of reputation will see celebrities triumph over bad-faith filers. Read more

12 Dec 2020

Social media and the right of publicity: what advertisers need to know

With no US federal right of publicity and the distinction between celebrities and non-celebrities becoming increasingly arbitrary, companies looking to advertise their products through the likenesses of individuals must be up to date with the latest case law in order to get a clear picture of the risks involved. Read more

Events

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15-19 March
2021

WTR Connect Spring 2021

WTR Connect returns to Zoom for a week of purpose-built trademark and brand protection discussions with the world’s leading experts. From March 15-19, WTR will be hosting more than 20 individual interactive digital sessions live on Zoom, each designed to facilitate discussion, benchmarking and the sharing of best practice around key topic areas and challenges facing trademark and brand leaders.

Brand Strategy Southeast Asia 2021

With global trade tensions showing no signs of abating, Southeast Asia looks set to benefit as manufacturers shift strategic facilities into the region - further boosting the burgeoning tech and R&D sectors. However, this growth will place unprecedented pressures on an already uneven IP landscape and rights-owners, both international and home-grown, will need to navigate with care.

Against this background, IAM is pleased to announce the return of our combined programme: IPBC Southeast Asia, hosted by IAM, and Brand Strategy Southeast Asia, presented by World Trademark Review, to the Grand Hyatt Singapore on September 2021.

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