International Women’s Day interviews; UK soft power success; a year of the Trademark Modernisation Act; 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.
Long Read
Thompson Coburn's Shoko Naruo and Brendan Bement reflect on the first year of the US Trademark Modernisation Act, crunching the numbers and assessing the effectiveness of new procedures.
Monday 6 March
The United Kingdom’s soft power “sails through” political turmoil, as Ukraine gains influence in the Brand Finance 2023 Global Soft Power Index.
Cordillera IP founder and former in-house counsel Lisa Ritchie explains why “the traditional IP career pathway is breaking down” as she discusses the evolving opportunities for women in the IP industry.
Plus:
- Board of Appeal rebuked for failing to provide adequate statement of reasons in MOSTOSTAL case (European Union)
- It’s PRUdent to refrain from cybersquatting: ACPA applies to domain name re-registration (United States)
Tuesday 7 March
Toblerone removes the Swiss imagery from its packaging, INTA’s Annual Meeting tops 5,000 registrants, Sprite gets a rebrand, and more.
The European Union moves closer to GI protection for crafts, while the United States intensifies its focus on IP abuses, in this month’s legislation and policy watch.
Plus:
- Korea Customs Service publishes 2021 annual report on IP rights seizures (South Korea)
- Alaska Airlines contractually obliged to pay Virgin for right to use VIRGIN (United Kingdom)
Wednesday 8 March
Women make up roughly 57% of trademark associates, but only 37% of partners, WTR 1000 Analytics data reveals.
WTR hears how one Japanese IP lawyer is meeting gender challenges head on.
Plus:
- Counterfeiter of Louis Vuitton goods faces court’s wrath for violating injunction order (India)
- The UDRP deals with confusingly similar domain names, not email addresses (International)
Thursday 9 March
CEO Adam Williams reveals his ambitions for the UK Intellectual Property Office in an exclusive interview with WTR.
The heads of the IP offices of the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine sign a memorandum of understanding to support Ukraine's integration into the European IP system.
Plus:
- EUIPO refuses to register mark representing Charlie Chaplin character (European Union)
- New regulation on labelling of foods with a high sugar, saturated fat and trans fat content (Venezuela)
- Subway emerges victorious in battle against copycat (Market Insight: India)
- Key trademark and copyright developments shape 2023 US outlook (Market Insight: United States)
Friday 10 March
ICANN recently passed a resolution to develop a WHOIS Disclosure System.
The EUIPO bans TikTok, a New Delhi Bar Association event sparks anger in the community, the CNIPA becomes a top-level agency, and more.
Malaysian IP practices have “no glass ceiling”, says Maxis IP specialist Kimberly Tey, but why are younger female lawyers leaving?
Plus:
- Took a DNA test, turns out 100% THAT BITCH is 100% registrable (United States)
- The NATRICHE case, or the importance of registering distinctive designs (Uruguay)
Saturday 11 March
If advanced AI tools become more widespread, reverse-image search tools could be required to not only monitor and take down infringing content, but prevent it as well.
Out now: Special Report on diversity in IP
WTR's new Special Report examines the progress being made to improve diversity, equity and inclusion across the IP sphere – with practical steps from industry leaders on how to build a better workplace.