Chinese filings drop over 10%; AliExpress and WeChat join Notorious Markets List; 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.

The Long Read

White & Case reveals how to get the most out of coexistence agreements.

Monday 14 February

A new report uncovers the latest tactics that counterfeiters are using on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.

There is too much ambiguity around the sale of miniatures, IP experts in India argue.

Plus:

• Recent seizures highlight benefits of registering product shapes as 3D trademarks (Paraguay)
• Important changes to Singapore’s IP system: what you need to know (Singapore)

Tuesday 15 February

INTA issues a 2022 Annual Meeting safety update, US authorities crack down on Super Bowl fakes, The North Face settles an infringement dispute, and much more.

The American Intellectual Property Law Association seeks clarification of the USPTO sanctions process as scams and suspicious specimens remain rife.

Plus:

• Good news for Mattel as General Court upholds decision to invalidate dolls head design (European Union)
• Trademark Office rejects application containing several elements of Tommy Hilfiger’s marks (Peru)

Wednesday 16 February

Registration levels suffer amid a decline in North American and European filing activity.

‘Super-generic’ use of the Google brand proves that a legal rethink is needed, a new study urges.

Plus:

• New amendments to the Korean Trademark Act: what you need to know (South Korea)
• Battle of the Spartans! Double victory for Spartan Race Inc’s application for revocation (United Kingdom)

Thursday 17 February

Chinese filings drop over 10% at home and abroad in the final months of 2021.

The EUIPO celebrates a record-breaking filing year, but data suggests that 2022 could see a fall.

The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department implements a notice of operational interruption in light of the growing covid-19 situation. 

Four years after a second IP office opened in Yemen, brand owners are warned that enforcement challenges remain.

Plus:

• European Commission report gives ‘.eu’ a clean bill of health (European Union)
• When a social media influencer divorces with a bridal design company, who gets custody of the accounts? (United States)
• High Court gives short shrift to request for stay of injunction for rebranding (Market Insight: United Kingdom)

Friday 18 February

Apple prevails in a diverse emoji dispute, Chile reports an “historic” trademark increase, the Hologram Image Register gets a makeover, and much more.

AliExpress and WeChat are added to the Office of the US Trade Representative’s Notorious Markets List.

Plus:

• China joins Hague design registration system (China)
• General Court confirms likelihood of confusion due to high similarity between earlier mark and co-dominant element in contested mark (European Union)

Saturday 19 February

Class 9 needs a major overhaul – and fast, argues our Saturday opinion guest column.

WTR Special Report: Next-generation innovation at IP offices

WTR’s latest special report explores how IP offices around the world are embracing innovation and why it matters to all trademark professionals.