Navigating the pandemic at Marriott International; Big Oil data analysis; key lessons from US courts; and more

Monday 8 March

On Monday, Mewburn Ellis’ Robert Watson charted the evolution of the EU and UK designs regimes, arguing that the United Kingdom is entering an exciting time for a reinvigorated system. Read more

WTR spoke to Simmons & Simmons partner Darren Meale about the benefits of the firm’s new trademark conflict AI tool, Rocketeer, and the outfit’s foray into the software as service game. Read more

We asked what IP solutions provider Questel’s newly announced acquisition of NovumIP – a group comprising PAVIS and Novagraaf – means for the trademark services space.  Read more

To celebrate International Women’s Day, WTR presented a rundown of a few of our favourite interviews with influential women at the heart of the trademark industry. Read more

Plus:

• Federal Court issues decision in LA FAMIGLIA case (Australia)
• Supreme Court’s ØRSTED decision: protected surnames and trademarks (Denmark)

Tuesday 9 March

In Tuesday’s news digest, Burger King UK sparked Twitter outrage, the Ministry of Public Security released its latest figures on IP-related crimes solved by Chinese authorities, the American Apparel & Footwear Association renewed its board of directors, UK police unveiled a new IP crime unit, and much more. Read more

In an exclusive guest piece, Carlton Fields’ Jonathan Goodwill unpicked what the US Trademark Modernisation Act 2020 means for foreign and domestic brand owners. Read more

The Benelux Office for Intellectual Property outlined a number of its innovative non-core tools and services for trademark users – including a revamped trademark register that now includes AI-based image recognition software and new push notification functionality on its recently overhauled website. Read more

Plus:

• ‘gainvest.com’ decision: one man’s loss is another man’s gain (International)
• What does the RCEP mean for IP rights holders? (International)

Wednesday 10 March

In a candid conversation with Elisabeth Escobar, vice president and senior counsel, global intellectual property at Marriott International, WTR heard how the company has weathered the storm of the covid-19 pandemic in a sector that has been hit hard. Read more

We called for trademark professionals across the globe to participate in our latest benchmarking survey, which focuses on operational management to track the latest trends and identify how practice is evolving. Read more

Plus:

• Shenzhen court issues guiding opinions on punitive damages (China)
• The effect of the covid-19 pandemic on trademark applications (Turkey)

Thursday 11 March

We reported that the Cambodian IP office has moved to temporary emergency measures following a covid-19-related government order. Meanwhile, Intellectual Property India has ended the extension period for various IP matters as courts and tribunals are now operating at “relative normalcy”. Read more

We revealed the final speakers and session line-ups for this week’s WTR Connect, with discussions ranging from mentorship, education and demonstrating value to AI, budget management and fostering the relationship between brands and online platforms. Read more

Further investigation by WTR discovered that low-cost trademark filing agencies (including Trademark Terminal and Trademark Falcon) that have recently caused concerns at the USPTO appear to have shifted their strategy in recent weeks. One expert warned that the public is not being protected. Read more

This week’s WTR long read ran a countdown of the biggest trademark lessons from US courts in 2020, with crucial pointers covering everything from generic.com marks to what constitutes useful trade dress. Read more

Plus:

• Secondary meaning and the Andean Court of Justice (International)
• Thailand clarifies approach to examination: Draft Examination Manual released for public comment (Thailand)
• Kenya proceeds with the publication of expired trademarks (International report: Africa)
• Rightmove successfully proves similarity in ‘.uk’ dispute (International report: Domain name policing and enforcement)
• How to demonstrate acquired distinctiveness in Mexico (International report: Mexico)
• Why trademarks could be the best way to promote regional brands in Russia (International report: Russia)

Friday 12 March

Our end-of-the-week round-up saw Lyft praised for a user ban, ICANN71 going virtual, Lacoste teaming up with Bruno Mars, the National Collegiate Athletic Association claiming similarity between VASECTOMY MAYHEM and MARCH MAYHEM, and much more. Read more

What happens to Big Oil majors when they fall out of love with their key commodity? WTR data analysis revealed that they rebrand. Read more

Plus:

• No GASTÓN spoons and forks – sign that could affect the prestige of a person refused (Peru)
• New KIPO examination standards to assess similarity of software-related goods and services (South Korea)

Saturday 13 March

Saturday’s opinion column reflected on a high-profile licensing dispute between Virgin and Brightline. With the spat highlighting the growing interest in brand valuations, we argued that now is the time for trademark professionals to make themselves part of the discussion. Read more

Book your place at WTR Connect today