CIPO tackles examination backlog; USTR publishes 2021 Special 301 Report; European Commission launches non-agricultural GIs consultation; 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
With the European Union and the United States showing no sign of reaching a consensus when it comes to assessing functionality, Baker McKenzie’s Vlotina Liakatou, Dyan House and Karen Hays set out a focused checklist for brand owners looking to protect their intangibles in both regions. Read more
Monday 3 May
As a part of a new quarterly WTR series, we picked out five of the most newsworthy Legal Updates highlighting major legislative changes and recent key decisions from the Middle East and Africa. Read more
The general director of the Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property revealed the innovative non-core tools and services that the registry offers for trademark users – and some of those planned for the future. Read more
Tuesday 4 May
Tuesday’s news round-up examined a Diablo trademark dispute, the EUIPO’s new SME support fund, the US Tax Court’s valuation of the name and likeness of Michael Jackson, and much more. Read more
WTR spoke to EIP CEO Magnus Hallin about the firm’s unusual collaboration with UK-based intangible asset management company Stobbs and the possibility of new services in the future. Read more
We presented the five biggest takeaways from the Office of the US Trade Representative’s 2021 Special 301 Report, the first to be released under the Biden administration. Read more
Plus:
- GRILLOUMI case: are cheese products and restaurant services complementary? (European Union)
- Belarus joins the Hague System - and other new possibilities for protecting industrial design rights in the CIS (International)
Wednesday 5 May
Judith Bussé, counsel and a member of the Crowell & Moring IP group, revealed how the firm’s diverse hiring practices and formal actions are part of a proactive effort to create positive change on a national and international level. Read more
In a guest analysis, Carina Gommers, ECTA second vice president and a partner at Wiggin, assessed the registrability of slogans as trademarks after the seemingly out-of-step Oatly ruling. Read more
The academic behind a new study that claims trademarks have shifted away from being identifiers of the producers of goods and services told WTR that the ongoing “backlash against globalism” is rooted in “brands asserting their power in improper ways”. Read more
We considered the European Commission launching a non-agricultural GIs consultation as the United States voices concern over extending protection. Read more
Plus:
- Chinese court ruling gives hope to victims of trademark squatting (China)
- Zero hero: disclaiming disputed term renders dispute moot (United States)
Thursday 6 May
Despite the Canadian IP Office (CIPO) taking concrete steps to address examination delays this week, local experts warned that frustrated applicants may still have years of waiting ahead of them. Read more
Improvements in Slovakia saw the national IP office ending its covid-19 restrictions. However, worsening situations have led to the registries in Croatia and Sri Lanka implementing new measures. Read more
We examined the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s new report warning of the role that ‘dupe influencers’ are playing in the promotion of counterfeit products, as well as the tactics that they are adopting. Read more
Plus:
- Catalonia High Court of Justice confirms lack of likelihood of confusion between DYNAMIC SANTIVERI and DYNAMIN trademarks (Spain)
- Swatch prevails in dispute with Apple over Steve Jobs’ “one more thing” catchphrase (United Kingdom)
- New ‘.sa’ dispute policy added to WIPO’s repertoire (International report: Domain name policing and enforcement)
- New rules for proof of use in Germany – what brand owners need to know (International report: Germany)
- IP court finds no abuse where author registered images as trademarks (International report: Russia)
Friday 7 May
In our latest news digest, The Gambia joined the Banjul Protocol, appeals were heard in a long-running dispute over the UGG mark in Australia, the Venezuelan IP office reduced its fees, Nextbite added more celebrity virtual brands to its portfolio, and much more. Read more
WTR data analysis revealed that trademark filings are continuing to climb, with all major registers recording numbers well above last year’s figures. However, the growth may not be sustained. Read more
In an exclusive interview with WTR, a spokesperson for CIPO revealed the effects that new measures are likely to have on the timeliness of examinations, as well as the office’s plans to expand the Goods and Services Manual and increase examiner headcount. Read more
Plus:
- Hasbro’s repeat filings of MONOPOLY mark judged harshly by General Court (European Union)
- ‘.ua’-DRP becomes applicable to new domain zones (Ukraine)
Saturday 8 May
Saturday’s opinion column considered the news that Mars Wrigley has launched legal action in both the United States and Canada against a number of cannabis companies, illustrating the need for brands to police this fast-maturing industry. Read more
WTR Special Report: The rise of mass filers and register clutter
Earlier this month we launched the first of our new WTR Special Reports, focusing on the rise of mass filers and their impact on the trademark ecosystem. Scrutinising the data behind the filing activities of Michael Gleissner, Ikuhiro Ueda and Chinese entities, we explored the real-world effects of these on brand protection and how rights holders and registries can mitigate their impact. Read more