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There has been a shake-up at the top of the Brand Finance annual Global 500 report, with Google knocking Apple from its perch after five years at the top. But it is Chinese brands which saw the most growth in 2016
David HaighHow much is enough? How to avoid over-licensing
As brand extension through licensing becomes increasingly popular, the phenomenon of over-licensing has emerged as a potential threat to brand health and longevity
The Year of Qiaodan
To welcome in the Year of the Rooster, we take a look back at the biggest Chinese trademark case of the last 12 months – and ask whether it could turn out to be one of the most important rulings for brand owners in the country’s history
Registries transformed – the world’s most innovative IP offices revealed
As IP offices across the world adapt and improve the services they offer, World Trademark Review identifies those leading the way with non-core tools and services – and those falling behind
Social media revolution? Legal uncertainty and the case for global harmonisation
Trademark dilution on social media has been on the rise for several years. Now the International Social Media Association hopes to find a way to remove legal uncertainty and ease the pressure on rights holders
India on the move
The Indian Trademark Registry has stepped up its digital efforts in the last year, while changes to the legislative regime demonstrate growing recognition for international brand owners
Building for the future
The chief executive of the IP Office of Singapore – which is renowned for its ground-breaking approach to trademark services – offers his vision of how its counterparts around the world can transform themselves into innovation agencies
Strategic takeaways on brand protection in China
On December 7 2016 high-level brand protection professionals, investigators, industry specialists and enforcement officials gathered in Shanghai for World Trademark Review’s Brand Protection Greater China summit
A new dawn at the TTAB
Extensive rule changes have now come into effect at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board which promise greater efficiency and clarity in proceedings. However, brand owners and IP counsel need to be well versed in the changes to get the most out of them
The marketplace perspective
There has been persistent criticism of the rights protection mechanisms offered by online marketplaces, with brand owners calling for better anti-counterfeiting tools. Leading e-commerce platforms offer advice on how best to utilise the current arsenal
Message to success? Tough new battleground opens up in counterfeiting war
Messaging apps have overtaken social networks in total user numbers and many are now embedding payment methods on their platforms, creating yet another challenge for brand owners
USPTO audits go mainstream: prepare for the unexpected
The US Patent and Trademark Office is tightening controls on the post-registration requirement of use in an effort to clean up the US Trademark Register – meaning that rights holders now face random audits of their registered marks
All change in the Caribbean
Across the Caribbean, the trademark landscape is transforming. Recent legislative revisions have helped to modernise trademark law in two important jurisdictions and there is much to encourage international brand owners
Anonymous: Dispatches from the front line
Donning the cloak of anonymity, in-house practitioners share candid insights about what is happening on the front line. In this opening column, our anonymous author considers how corporate counsel should deal with rogue marketing colleagues
Perspectives
Trademark-related quotes, opinions and observations from around the globe
Mexico: Expansion of domains in Mexico
Managing domain names involves maximising business opportunities while protecting against infringement. A clear internal domain name policy can help to reconcile these aims
Russia: Resolving domain name disputes and doing business online in Russia
A well-balanced internal domain name policy is vital. Those doing business in Russia should consider national domain requirements, as well as national domain litigation practice
Canada: Dotting the ‘.com’ and crossing the ‘.sucks’: how to manage your domain name portfolio
Domain name strategy and portfolio management should be a key component of a brand’s overall IP strategy. A mindful, measured and disciplined approach is crucial
Italy: Alternative dispute resolution proceedings involving ‘.it’ domain names in 2016
There are now over 3 million ‘.it’ domain names, making it vital that disputes be resolved swiftly and cost effectively. A review of cases decided last year provides a snapshot of case law in this area
United States: Could Trump rewind the transfer of the IANA function?
Donald Trump was a vocal critic of the transfer of internet governance functions to ICANN in September 2016. What action is he likely to take now that he is president?
Brand creation and protection: a multifaceted approach
Practitioners from China, Germany and the United States discuss how to manage the brand lifecycle, exploring how counsel can ensure robust, innovative and effective creation and protection strategies