Notorious low-cost trademark agencies dominate Google ads; panel report uncovers shift in workplace; WTR 300 reveals leading corporate counsel; and much more

The Long Read

The covid-19 pandemic and related effects of lockdown have had a big impact on the African IP ecosystem. Vanessa Ferguson at Von Seidels runs through some of the most significant upheavals and sets out what rights holders should do to safeguard their brands. Read more

Monday 24 May

On Monday we were pleased to share the fifth edition of WTR 300: The World’s Leading Corporate Trademark Professionals, in which the Amazon, Apple and Facebook IP teams nurture significant talent. Read more

We examined the rights protection mechanisms review phase one recommendations that will now go to ICANN for adoption and highlighted the review of the UDRP as the next battleground for rights holders. Read more

Leading IP service providers explained why the future of the market lies in holistic, cross-functional data offerings. Read more

Plus:

• General Court provides guidance on bad faith in TORNADO case (European Union)
• ITDC: ‘inadequately-tailored and doomed complaint’? (International)

Tuesday 25 May

The Thailand IP office’s response to passport data concerns, the USPTO’s call for Trademark Public Advisory Committee nominations, an Anaqua and Aurora North partnership, and much more were among Tuesday’s news topics. Read more

In an exclusive interview, former director of the Chilean National Institute of Industrial Property Maximiliano Santa Cruz shared his perspective on Chile taking a step closer to the Madrid Protocol. Read more

OFO VENTURA’s Yasemin Aktas took a closer look at a recent decision indicating that copyright may offer broader protection than well-known trademark status in Turkey. Read more

Plus:

• ABB wins rare private criminal prosecution and puts counterfeiter in jail for three-and-a-half years (China)
• Trademarks in Africa: a five-step plan (International)

Wednesday 26 May

The first in a series of articles highlighting the key findings of the latest WTR Trademark Elite Expert Panel report found that investment uncertainty and increasing workloads are set to heap further pressure on trademark teams. Read more

WTR sat down with Christian Louboutin group general counsel Xavier Ragot to learn how the legal department at one of the world’s most famous luxury brands has spent the past decade improving education and awareness in the IP space. Read more

Clarivate’s first-ever Top 100 Best Protected Global Brands Report revealed that European and consumer brands are leading the way in terms of protection. Read more

Plus:

• Priority periods do the long jump: RCD may claim priority from PCT application within 12 months (European Union)
• Supreme Court confirms that use of later-registered mark can infringe earlier-registered mark in landmark decision (South Korea)

Thursday 27 May

Senior brand professionals warned that budget and infringement challenges are set to intensify in an increasingly challenging brand protection environment. Read more

This week’s coverage of the latest covid-19 measures at national IP offices saw announcements from the Singapore, India and Latvia registries. Read more

An exclusive WTR investigation revealed that controversial low-cost online trademark platforms are dominating paid Google search results. Read more

Plus:

• Eurasian industrial design system expected to launch on 1 June 2021 (International)
• Supreme Court softens conditions for bad-faith claims (Turkey)
• Are takedowns the most effective solution to tackling online threats? (Industry report: Domain name policing and enforcement)
• ARIPO sets plans to further digitise processes at working group hearing (International report: Africa)
• A reminder of the ugg-ly effects of cross-border shipping under German trademark law (International report: Germany)

Friday 28 May

Friday’s news round-up saw Hendrick’s defeat Lidl in a lookalike gin dispute, INTA announce further Annual Meeting plans, Etihad Airway launch a sonic brand, and much more. Read more

Analysis of Target’s portfolio data proved that the US retailer goes all in on private labels – and reaps the rewards. Read more

 Plus:

• Important modifications to the Industrial Property Law: what you need to know (Chile)
• Bottle designs held to produce different overall impressions on informed user (European Union)

Saturday 29 May

Saturday’s opinion column explored how the trademark workplace has changed forever – and why employers must adapt or risk losing talent who already at their breaking point. Read more

WTR Special Report: The rise of mass filers and register clutter

Last 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