USPTO responds to public email concern; Real Madrid wins brand league; KIPO commissioner chats innovation; 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
Korean Intellectual Property Office Commissioner Kim Yongrae reveals how the office became the most innovative in the world, in an exclusive interview with WTR.
Monday 23 May
Amazon and Netflix see their stock value drop as tech brands weather a difficult month, according to the latest WTR Brand Elite data.
Analysis of thousands of single-colour US trademarks warns that depletion could reach a “chronic level” in near future.
Plus:
- Levi Strauss & Co’s ‘arcuate stitching design’ mark declared as well known (India)
- UDRP: it all boils down to evidence (International)
Tuesday 24 May
Starbucks pulls out of Russia, Brexit causes a spike in UK trademark oppositions, the USPTO introduces e-registration, and much more.
WTR presents the ultimate IP valuer wish list, as part of an ongoing series on IP valuation in Asia.
Plus:
- IP process changes and fee updates – what you need to know (Singapore)
- Toy manufacturer does not have a FUNTIME at the IPEC (United Kingdom)
Wednesday 25 May
Real Madrid is ranked the world’s most-valuable football brand, while Manchester City climbs to second place.
Mercado Libre infringement levels drop as the platform’s latest Transparency Report uncovers regional removal differences.
Plus:
- General Court confirms that mark consisting of cross on side of sports shoe is distinctive (European Union)
- End of an era: termination of 100-year-old agreement between Germany and Switzerland (International)
Thursday 26 May
Rouse Consultancy’s Holly White reflects on the risks and opportunities of NFTs in China.
Stobbs partners with brand licensing agency LMCA in an effort to become “the world’s leading brand advisory company”.
Final covid restrictions are lifted at the USPTO and the German Patent and Trademark Office.
Plus:
- “Deliberate concealment” tactic leads Court of Appeal to refuse permission for otherwise legally legitimate amendments to case (United Kingdom)
- Success for Abercrombie & Fitch as counterfeit products are withdrawn and destroyed (Uruguay)
- How generic word marks can prevail in cybersquatting cases (Market Insight: Domain name policing and enforcement)
- New bill rings alarm bells for IP courts in Poland (Market Insight: Poland)
- Draft amendment of the Trademark Act sets outs big system overhaul (Market Insight: Taiwan)
- Residual goodwill cannot save TRU Kids Inc from losing opposition to rival mark (Market Insight: United Kingdom)
- Arizona State spat over covid-19 Instagram posts hits a wall (Market Insight: United States)
Friday 27 May
The USPTO responds to community concerns after inadvertently making up to 21,000 applicant email addresses public.
The China National IP Administration rejects a number of malicious trademarks, the USPTO seeks nominations for the Trademark Public Advisory Committee, VerifyMe enters the UK market, and much more.
The Ukrainian Intellectual Property Institute publishes a letter of support received from the director general of IP Australia.
Plus:
- General Court rules on complementarity between goods in Classes 3 and 5 (European Union)
- UDRP: proof of targeting essential for acronym trademarks (International)
Saturday 28 May
Professor of law Michael Grynberg examines how the controversial TRUMP TOO SMALL trademark decision relates to brand merchandising – and why it matters.
WTR Special Report: Optimising law firm operations
WTR’s latest Special Report reveals the top representative filers in key jurisdictions, presents feedback from market-leading brands on what they look for in their legal partners and details key data points on trademark practice economics.