Apple replaces Amazon as world’s most valuable brand; trademark workloads rise but resourcing stagnates; New Balance global head of brand protection offers key strategic advice; and much more
Everything we covered on WTR over the past seven days – and all you need to know from the world of trademarks to set yourself up for the start of another busy week.
Monday 25 January
In an exclusive guest post, experts at Hogan Lovells explored the current status of geographical indications (GIs) in a post-Brexit United Kingdom – and what the future could hold for their protection. Read more
Among this week’s IP office announcements in response to the covid-19 crisis, face-to-face services were updated in Chile and Peru, while limited office hours were extended in Hong Kong and the Czech Republic. Read more
Plus:
- Strengthened IP protection in China: key amendments highlighted (China)
- Good news for IP owners as several IP treaties are reinstated in Venezuela (Venezuela)
Tuesday 26 January
We announced the key findings of this year’s Brand Finance Global 500 report, revealing that Apple has replaced Amazon at the top of the world’s most valuable brands list following a stellar 87% increase in brand value over the past year. Read more
Continuing our coverage of the Brand Finance Global 500 2021 ranking, we reported that WeChat has been named the world’s strongest brand, with Ferrari dropping to second place and Sber moving up to third. Read more
Tuesdays’ news round-up discussed the new director of the African Regional IP Organisation’s vision for the future, the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s latest call for legislation to hold platforms liable for fake goods, Boohoo’s acquisition of the Debenhams brand for £55 million, and much more. Read more
WTR spoke to a local expert on the soft opening of the new Myanmar Office of Intellectual Property, learning that despite concerns over the clarity of trademark systems, filings are progressing well, indicating a move in the right direction for the country. Read more
Plus:
- Superior Court of Justice of Madrid confirms criminal conviction for wholesale and retail of fake adidas garments (Spain)
- Next stop for the MULTIBUS mark: registration (United Kingdom)
Wednesday 27 January
The latest WTR Trademark Elite Expert Panel report revealed that trademark workloads are rising, but concerns remain over team resourcing – with a mixed outlook highlighting a number of challenges for brand-focused practices. Read more
A new study by Clarivate discovered that domain spend is on the increase as brand protection becomes the main driver of registration strategies. Yet despite their value to IP policies, it is the IT team that is taking the lead on domain name acquisition and security. Read more
WTR spoke to the academic behind a major new study uncovering a “tsunami of applications” related to covid-19 filed in the United States in 2020 about why such ‘filing sensations’ are problematic and an issue that needs addressing. Read more
Plus:
- PTO issues first sanctioning resolution against use of Lego minifigure 3D mark (Peru)
- Crocs 3D mark revoked after 12 years as infringement claim backfires (Sweden)
Thursday 28 January
Further findings from the latest WTR Trademark Elite Expert Panel report indicated that IP leaders expect increased consumer engagement with brands over the coming months, creating a vital opportunity for anti-counterfeiting messaging. Read more
As Cambodia’s Kampot Pepper becomes the first GI to be recorded through the Geneva Act of WIPO’s Lisbon System, experts argued that the move marks the country’s transition from IP beneficiary to IP innovator. Read more
We covered the news that Juventus striker Paulo Dybala has settled a long-running high-profile image rights dispute through an International Court of Arbitration agreement worth around €35 million, a story broken by Global Arbitration Review. Read more
Plus:
- New UK customs notification procedure following Brexit departure from EU system (United Kingdom)
- What’s cookin’? Federal Circuit finds no likelihood of confusion between two KITCHEN marks (United States)
- Challenges of using the Madrid Protocol in Africa (International report: Africa)
- Cybersquatting trends and strategies that brand owners need to know (International report: United Kingdom)
Friday 29 January
The brands attracting the attention of WallStreetBets, a Beyond Meat and PepsiCo joint venture, trademark growth at the China National IP Administration, and much more were among Friday’s news stories. Read more
We crunched the numbers over the USPTO’s recent trademark and TTAB fee increase, as a 40% early year filings jump suggests that the new prices are enough to generate some much-needed revenue without putting off prospective filers. Read more
We sat down with Daniel McKinnon, global head of brand protection at New Balance, to hear how diversifying your attack strategy is key to a resilient and effective enforcement approach. Read more
Plus
- UFO clothing licensee restrained from using acronym (India)
- Supreme Court: registration of highly similar trademarks by same entity is prohibited (Russia)
Saturday 30 January
Our latest opinion column explained why the need to recalibrate work-life balance will be one of the biggest challenges facing trademark professionals in 2021. Read more