Industry: Fashion & textiles
Takedown shake-ups: strengthening brand protection on online marketplaces
Frustration over the sale of counterfeits on digital marketplaces has reached a peak in recent months. We asked some of the world’s biggest brand owners what gold-standard protection mechanisms might improve the situation and examined how realistic their suggestions are
01 September 2016
Proving genuine use of an earlier EU trademark
On June 16 2016 the European General Court rendered its decision in Case T – 614/14 between Fútbol Club Barcelona (the applicant), the EU Intellectual Property Office (the defendant) and Kule LLC as the other party before the EUIPO Board of Appeal.
29 July 2016
Jamaican officials battle against counterfeit goods
Between January 2015 and April 2016, the Jamaican Customs Agency seized more than $12 million worth of counterfeit goods, an approximate six-fold increase over a similar timespan between January 2014 and April 2015.
11 July 2016
Barcelona and Neymar top football trademark rankings; high-flying Leicester need to shore up their defence
Research conducted by <i>World Trademark Review</i> reveals the leading trademark filers in the football world, with FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United topping the list. It also demonstrates that Leicester City – a team that shocked the football fraternity by winning the Premier League title two months ago – do not yet have a trademark portfolio that matches its newfound success; although a club spokesperson tells us that it has plans to change that.
07 July 2016
“Our only choice is to join forces”; Alibaba launches new anti-counterfeiting platform, urges more collaboration
Barely a week after IP experts told <i>World Trademark Review</i> that they want a clearer indication of the anti-counterfeiting measures that Alibaba insists it is developing, the e-commerce giant has unveiled a new IP Joint-Force System that claims to “streamline” the takedown of infringing listings – with a spokesperson telling us that the launch is proof of the proactive efforts the company is taking in collaboration with brand owners.
05 July 2016
A kick in the Uggs, and litigation to boot
Deckers Outdoor Corporation has recently commenced legal proceedings against Australian Leather in the Illinois Northern District Court for alleged infringements of its UGG trademarks, which has reignited the debate in Australia regarding how it is possible for a US company to prevent Australians from calling their classic Aussie winter boots ‘Uggs’.
05 July 2016
Supreme People’s Court links damages to trademark fame in “very positive” Michelin decision
China’s highest court has ruled that the fame of an infringed trademark should come into consideration when determining damages, with lower courts expected to follow suit. The decision looks to be a positive one for brand owners seeking higher damages in cases where it seems likely that flagrant copying has taken place.
29 June 2016