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Analysis: Strategic

Enforcement data reveals destination shift for counterfeits originating in China

The true scope of the illicit trade of fake goods is hard to define, but analysis by Rouse indicates that Southeast Asia is a fast-rising hotspot

Enforcement data reveals destination shift for counterfeits originating in China
How should authors utilise trademarks to protect their literary works: the US perspective
7 Aug 2020

How should authors utilise trademarks to protect their literary works: the US perspective

How should literary authors be proactively protecting themselves through trademark rights? In this two part series, WTR spoke to a handful of legal experts to find out – kicking off with the US perspective.

How should authors utilise trademarks to protect their literary works: the European perspective
7 Aug 2020

How should authors utilise trademarks to protect their literary works: the European perspective

In the second of this two-part piece, we speak to legal experts to explore the role that trademarks could play in the fight against book piracy in Europe.

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6 Aug 2020

Counterfeit hotspots in Bangladesh that brand owners should be aware of

In the latest instalment in our regular series on marketplaces around the globe that are reportedly notorious for being counterfeit havens, we head to the Bay of Bengal and the nation of Bangladesh. Read more

4 Aug 2020

Drop shipping sites are flooding influencers with counterfeit goods: what brands should do

As even high-profile influencers such as Kylie and Kendal Jenner are caught by drop shipping scams, here are the steps that brands can take to reduce the risks. Read more

3 Aug 2020

“We are in constant beta”: inside Mercado Libre’s brand protection programme

In an interview with WTR, Juan Cichero, head of brand protection at Mercado Libre, explains how its IP protection offerings are evolving and outlines how rights holders can assist the company in its efforts. Read more

3 Aug 2020

Geographical indications increasingly important to China, but challenges ahead for EU owners

China is signalling serious dedication towards enhancing the protection of geographical indications (GIs), so WTR explores recent developments and the proactive actions that should be taken by international GI owners. Read more

31 Jul 2020

Why scalability is key to service provider M&A activity: exclusive interview with OpSec CEO

WTR sits down with OpSec CEO Selva Selvaratnam to discuss the market for legal service providers and the Clarivate-CPA Global merger. Read more

30 Jul 2020

Counterfeit hotspots in Mauritius that brand owners must be aware of

In the latest instalment in our regular series on marketplaces around the globe that are reportedly notorious for being counterfeit havens, we head to the Indian Ocean and the island nation of Mauritius. Read more

29 Jul 2020

“The time is right” – call for US government to form dedicated anti-counterfeiting agency

NAM has issued a report on the scale of the counterfeits industry and proposed radical changes to the ways in which the private and public sectors combat the trade in fake goods. Read more

29 Jul 2020

Brand changes: moving forward with an eye on the past

In this guest post, Virginia Marino, shareholder at Brinks Gilson & Lione, reveals the necessary steps that any brand adviser should take when faced with a brand overhaul. Read more

28 Jul 2020

Xinjiang forced labour supply chain controversy highlights importance of trademark counsel guidance

As several of the world's biggest fashion brands are accused of being complicit in human rights abuses in Xinjiang, what should trademark professionals do? Read more

27 Jul 2020

Colour trademarks in Japan: Hitachi decision highlights obstacles for brands

A recent decision at the Japan IP High Court has shone a spotlight on the difficulty of obtaining registered trademark protection for non-traditional marks in Japan. Read more

27 Jul 2020

Fraud, filings and fee rises – new USPTO trademark commissioner shares ongoing challenges and opportunities

The USPTO has hosted its second-ever virtual Trademark Public Advisory Committee meeting, with new trademark commissioner David Gooder revealing the “encouraging” recovery of trademark filings. Read more

23 Jul 2020

How elite brand-focused companies have performed on the markets since 2018

Analysis of the stock market performance of the WTR Brand Elite – a composite index of some of the world’s top brand-focused companies – since the start of 2018 paints a largely positive picture. Read more

23 Jul 2020

Why brand strategy might dictate the winner of the next video game console war

Although there is much yet to be announced about their new consoles, there are clear indications that the PS5 and the Series X will diverge in brand strategy to keep ahead of the market. Read more

22 Jul 2020

Call for government to do more on brand misuse and ad fraud on social media as report reveals scale of problem

A new report has revealed the extent of fraudulent and infringing advertisements on social media platforms targeting major brands, providing an action plan to clamp down on illicit activity. Read more

21 Jul 2020

“The death of trademark” – study finds that AI could adversely affect brand usage

A new research paper has looked at how improvements in AI could affect trademark doctrine – with the academic behind the study claiming that “trademarks may become less important in the future”. Read more

20 Jul 2020

Food and beverage industry the new brand restrictions battleground as calls for action escalate

The food industry is fast becoming the focus of brand restrictions, with new calls for action against unhealthy foods in the United Kingdom and concern over Mexico’s new labelling regime culminating in a missive from INTA last week. Read more

17 Jul 2020

How do you rebrand a franchise like the Washington NFL team? Seven key takeaways

The Washington Redskins NFL team is to retire its longstanding name and logo. Despite the relative uniqueness of the situation, though, there are important lessons that can be learnt. Read more

16 Jul 2020

“Worrying for brand owners” – groundbreaking study finds disparities in trademark examiner determinations

New research has found “meaningful variation” in the trademark registration rates, publication rates and speed of trademark examining attorneys at the USPTO. Read more

16 Jul 2020

A connected world: learnings from the first internationally linked trademark database

In an exclusive guest post, academics in Australia share findings from their new study into the first database that links equivalent trademarks across national offices into a single comprehensive offering. Read more

15 Jul 2020

Six counterfeit hotspots in Pakistan that brand owners must be aware of

In the latest instalment in our regular series on marketplaces around the globe that are reportedly notorious for being counterfeit havens, we head to Pakistan. Read more

15 Jul 2020

Kanye West pulls out of presidential race: could a lack of trademark activity have predicted it?

Research conducted by WTR reveals a lack of trademark applications related to his campaign, leading to the question of whether he was ever fully in the race. Read more

15 Jul 2020

Call for New Zealand intellectual property framework to incorporate Māori rights

Lynell Tuffery Huria discusses the need for Māori traditions and cultural expressions to be protected by New Zealand’s intellectual property laws. Read more

14 Jul 2020

A fragile industry? High proportion of US law firms with strong trademark practices seek coronavirus financial support

Research conducted by WTR reveals that 66 US law firms with market-leading trademark practices have made use of the government’s Paycheck Protection Programme. Read more

14 Jul 2020

“Talk about the issue”: how law firms can support the LGBT+ community in Asia

WTR previously analysed data that revealed a disparity between law firms in Asia and the rest of the world when it comes to engaging on LGBT+ issues. As such, we consider how law firms can start to effect change. Read more

13 Jul 2020

Washington Redskins confirm name change following reports of sponsor unrest as brand activism continues

The Washington Redskins National Football League team has announced that it is to retire the ‘redskins’ name and logo, which has long been the subject of controversy (and numerous legal challenges). Read more

10 Jul 2020

“Psychological dominance” – study reveals power of trademarks and fragility of functionality doctrine

A new study has brought together examples of the ‘power of trademarks’ and proposed a new theory of functionality based on the concept of the ‘fragility’ of certain elements of a mark. Read more

10 Jul 2020

Data reveals significant diversity and inclusion gaps in Asian law firm landscape

Analysis of WTR’s benchmarking survey data reveals that over half of participating Asian law firms do not have a diversity and inclusion policy. Read more

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Trending

1

Xinjiang forced labour supply chain controversy highlights importance of trademark counsel guidance

2

“The time is right” – call for US government to form dedicated anti-counterfeiting agency

3

“We are in constant beta”: inside Mercado Libre’s brand protection programme

4

Revealed: Jonathan Morton, Nyall Engfield and Benjamin Becker are top China representatives at USPTO

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“A step in the right direction”: CBP ruling on small consignments set to strengthen anti-counterfeiting toolkit

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Willem Leppink
Partner
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Ploum
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