US applicants victims in major fraud case; INTA Women’s LeadershIP Initiative offers empowerment toolkit; WTR evolves offering; 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.
Monday 22 February
We announced the session line-ups for next month’s WTR Connect virtual event, where a fireside chat with WIPO Director General Daren Tang will kick off five days of strategic trademark content. Read more
Submissions to a recently closed USPTO public comment window hit out at the office’s requirement for applicant domicile details and attorney bar numbers, with one describing application burden estimates as “simply disingenuous”. Read more
Plus:
- Success of online training seminars for law enforcement officers continues (Peru)
- No more bites at the Apple: intervening junior user can force you to get your head out of the cloud(s) (United States)
Tuesday 23 February
Tuesday’s news round-up covered the reaction to Peloton’s genericism lawsuit, an array of counterfeits seized in Louisville, Daimler’s truck spin-off trademark issue, Dr Martens teaming up with the owner of Hello Kitty, and much more. Read more
A major investigation revealed US trademark applicants to be among the victims in what has been described as “the biggest money laundering case in the history of Pakistan”, which involved low-cost trademark filing platforms allegedly sending fake USPTO certificates to clients. Read more
With concern growing after the revelations of the Pakistani fraud case, new evidence suggested that other low-cost trademark platforms could be linked to the allegedly fraudulent organisation, which in total have filed thousands of trademark applications at the USPTO over the past 12 months. Read more
Plus:
- Board of Appeal confirms lack of likelihood of confusion between FASHION TV marks (Iceland)
- NOTHING BUT strong evidence of confusion will suffice in a New Zealand spill-over reputation case (New Zealand)
Wednesday 24 February
We discussed the INTA Women’s LeadershIP Initiative report that aims to remedy gender inequalities in the IP profession by offering a best practices toolkit to empower women to develop strong leadership skills and advance their careers. Read more
We revealed the new ways in which WTR is evolving to deliver even more business-critical news and intelligence through weekly long-reads and a series of special reports. Read more
New research discovered that more than half of the total value of counterfeit goods seized around the world are shipped by sea. We plotted the tactics and trade routes that most infringers take. Read more
Plus:
- New regulations set to alter enterprise name registration in China (China)
- General Court confirms lack of likelihood of confusion between PANTHÉ and PANTHER in Class 25 (European Union)
Thursday 25 February
We reported on the latest measures implemented by the IP offices of the Czech Republic, Finland and Georgia in response to the covid-19 pandemic. Read more
WTR spoke to brand experts on what recourse Buy New Zealand Made has in light of a far-right group’s use of its certification mark, and when entering the political fray is necessary to protect a mark’s reputation. Read more
Plus:
- New Balance wins landmark legal battle in fight against copycat (China)
- New mandatory precedent regarding the use of a trademark consisting of packaging (Peru)
- Cancellation for non-use can be used to avoid market monopoly in Sao Tome and Principe (International report: Africa)
- How the concept of morality is implemented at the African Intellectual Property Organisation (International report: Africa)
Friday 26 February
Friday’s news round-up saw Taylor Swift taking on Evermore Theme Park, Pakistan joining the Madrid System, LVMH acquiring a 50% stake in Jay-Z’s champagne brand, the USPTO seeking public feedback on the Trademark Modernisation Act, and much more. Read more
WTR data analysis put US major sports leagues under the microscope to examine how they rely on new-age media to boost engagement and strengthen brand equity. Read more
We reflected on the star-studded launch event that saw Brand Finance release this year’s Soft Power Index, in which the United States has fallen five places largely as a result of its response to the covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Plus:
- General Court rejects late amendment of list of goods (European Union)
- Trademark implications of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (United States)
Saturday 27 February
In our Saturday opinion piece, we considered recent backlashes against app marketplace takedown actions, arguing that these have become the new cease and desist dilemma, requiring careful – and increasingly creative – strategising. Read more
