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Africa & Middle East

Lagging behind? Trademark issues revealed as substantial risk for esports industry

Major new survey finds IP and licensing are the most significant legal issues facing the esports industry. The findings reveal an opportunity for law firms across the world in the fledgling esports space.

1 Nov 2019

Brands could be the centre of renewed focus during Israel’s scale-up phase

The start-up nation’s register is dominated by foreign applicants but, as the government throws its weight behind maturing businesses, strong branding will help domestic companies to become a feature of the economy.

31 Oct 2019

Still time to nominate the industry’s leading lights for recognition in the WTR 300

Nominate to ensure that the work undertaken by in-house professionals across the globe receives the recognition it deserves – and be in with a chance to win a free place at an upcoming WTR event.

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11 Nov 2019

Limited time remains to nominate the industry’s leading lights for recognition in the WTR 300

Nominate now to ensure that the work undertaken by in-house professionals across the globe receives the recognition it deserves – and be in with a chance to win a free place at an upcoming WTR event. Read more

8 Nov 2019

Are international trademark registrations valid in Zambia?

The recent judgment of the Zambian registrar of trademarks in Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite v Amina Limited deals with the vexed question of whether international registrations are actually valid in Zambia. Read more

25 Oct 2019

Good news for trademark owners and practitioners: new tribunal for opposition matters inaugurated

A new tribunal has recently been inaugurated with a view to accelerating opposition proceedings in Nigeria. Read more

21 Oct 2019

Don’t miss your chance to win a free delegate place at an upcoming WTR event

Take two minutes to nominate the world's best in-house professionals and teams – and be in with a chance to win a free place at an upcoming WTR event. Read more

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Anti-counterfeiting

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17 Oct 2019

Counterfeit hotspots in Ethiopia that brand owners should be aware of

In the 20th instalment in our series on marketplaces around the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to Ethiopia. Read more

1 Oct 2019

Apple MEMOJI lawsuit, Malaysia joins Madrid System, and TMview adds OAPI: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Huawei filing a lawsuit against a rival Chinese mobile maker, POW! Entertainment hitting back over Stan Lee lawsuit, Alt Legal acquiring MarkTend, and much more. Read more

13 Sep 2019

Extinction Rebellion trademark, Egypt fee rise, and Crocs Gloves in art gallery: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at Māori uproar over a New Zealand trademark application, WIPO in Hungary, MARQUES addressing long goods and services lists at the EUIPO, and much more. Read more

21 Aug 2019

From Jumia to Ozon: the regional e-commerce sites that rights holders need to be policing

Outside of North America and China, new ecommerce marketplaces are springing up at an increasing rate. As these regional platforms grow, infringers have swarmed to them in response to the global platforms’ growing anti-counterfeiting efforts. Read more

Brand management

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7 Oct 2019

Time running out to nominate the world's best corporate trademark professionals

Have your say as part of the nomination process for the WTR Industry Awards 2020 and next edition of WTR 300: The World’s Leading Corporate Trademark Professionals. Read more

12 Sep 2019

WTR Industry Awards 2020 nomination window now open

WTR is now seeking nominations for the WTR Industry Awards 2020 and next edition of WTR 300: The World’s Leading Corporate Trademark Professionals. Nominate now to recognise the leading in-house professionals. Read more

2 Aug 2019

De Beers’ winning strategy: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em

The world-renowned diamond company has drastically shifted its brand strategy in the past year, managing to strengthen its own market position while weakening that of its rivals. Read more

12 Jul 2019

Trademark solicitation scams: identifying the scale of the issue

In a major upcoming investigation, WTR will look at the scourge of trademark solicitation scams. Today we ask readers to share their experience of spurious trademark invoices. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

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8 Nov 2019

Are international trademark registrations valid in Zambia?

25 Oct 2019

Good news for trademark owners and practitioners: new tribunal for opposition matters inaugurated

A new tribunal has recently been inaugurated with a view to accelerating opposition proceedings in Nigeria. Read more

15 Oct 2019

Broader protection for GIs used on agricultural products

Recently published regulations in South Africa make provision for the registration of GIs that identify agricultural products as originating in South Africa or in a foreign country. Read more

8 Oct 2019

Egypt registry delays trademark fee increase, Slayer brand, and Joker licence controversy: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at CPA Global unveiling the latest version of its IP system, food brands being targeted by hackers, Metallica celebrating a trademark dispute win, and much more. Read more

Goverment/policy

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10 Oct 2019

Brexit, trade wars and political turmoil: what dominated the 2019 Nation Brand report

Brand Finance has released its annual Nation Brand report, which sees notable movement from developing countries – highlighting the economic shift powered by innovation in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Read more

30 Jul 2019

Why the legal profession should encourage diversity and inclusion

Embracing diversity and nurturing inclusion is not only the right thing to do, it is good business. Yet the legal profession has been slow to change and capture the opportunity. Read more

24 Jul 2019

New dawn for trademarks in Nigeria – all eyes are on regime overhaul

IP protection in Africa’s largest economy is undergoing major changes, as Nigeria’s new Trademarks Registry launches a set of ambitious plans to ensure that the country’s trademark regime is fit for purpose in the globalised world. Read more

24 Jul 2019

China, India, US rise; Japan, Singapore, UK fall – Global Innovation Index 2019 report released

WIPO has revealed the world’s most innovative countries. In a new report it places Switzerland, Sweden and the United States at the top of the list, with the Netherlands, Singapore and the United Kingdom falling down the rankings. Read more

Law firms

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15 Aug 2019

Six ways to evolve your practice to meet client demands: insights from the law firm elite

We explore how changing client demands are shaping the modern law firm practice – and present insight into how to future-proof operations. Read more

1 Aug 2019

Mind the gap – why law firms must bridge the gender divide

The legal sector is traditionally a male-dominated industry and although that is changing, more work needs to be done to combat inequality. Read more

9 Jul 2019

Brands embracing Pride, DanTDM calls out fakes, and UAE slashes trademark fees: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at British Airways being hit with a sky-high fine for a GDPR violation, counterfeit seizures in South Africa and Tanzania, China’s trademark office growth continuing, and much more. Read more

14 Jun 2019

EUIPO enforcement portal, most cyber-attacked brands, and ACG anti-counterfeiting award winners: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at changes to Canadian registrations occurring next week, Unilever seeing a pay-off from purpose-led brands, brands being reminded to renew marks in Rwanda, and much more. Read more

IP offices

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16 Oct 2019

Global trademark growth slowing as China continues to dominate – breaking down the WIPO Indicators 2019 report

WIPO has published World Intellectual Property Indicators 2019, charting the growth of global IP filing for 2018. WTR presents key takeaways from the trademark data. Read more

14 Aug 2019

Nigerian Trademark Registry: recent developments expected to benefit IP system

Developments that have taken place at the Nigerian Trademark Registry over the past few months have been widely welcomed by the trademark community. Among other things, it is hoped that the establishment of the new Trademark Tribunal will speed up opposition proceedings. Read more

14 Aug 2019

Warning issued over brand name squatting in Nigeria: how to fight back

While brands are long used to the scourge of trademark squatting in a number of jurisdictions, it can be easy to overlook the challenge posed by companies trading off their name. A legal expert in Nigeria warns that the latter is a significant threat. Read more

29 Jul 2019

New dawn in Nigeria: evolution of the trademark ecosystem in Africa’s biggest economy

Nigeria has long been a challenging jurisdiction in which to obtain and enforce registered trademark rights. Recent changes represent significant and positive steps forward, as issues are finally being addressed. Read more

Online

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2 Jul 2019

How AI will revolutionise trademark searches

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel have looked at how advanced AI tools will transform the way in which trademark searches are conducted in the future – and, in an exclusive guest post, expand on what this means for trademark practitioners. Read more

11 Jun 2019

South African police attacked during counterfeit raid, Chile IP office new director, and Airbnb versus Hairbnb: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at the 2 millionth trademark application at the EUIPO, a new report finding that UK students are "actively disloyal" to brands, a collection of fake video games released, and much more. Read more

26 Apr 2019

World IP Day celebrated around the globe, Special 301 released, and IP Australia annual report: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at planned IP improvements in Kuwait, research which finds consumers are quick to “dump brands”, LL Cool J prevailing in a trademark dispute, and much more. Read more

18 Apr 2019

Latest free-to-view intelligence on protecting brands in the online environment now available

WTR has published the sixth edition of Online Brand Enforcement: Protecting Your Trademarks in the Electronic Environment. Available now, the free-to-view publication offers the latest guidance on brand management best practice. Read more

Portfolio management

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17 Jul 2019

UAE trademark office implements substantial reduction in registration and renewal fees

In a move that will be welcomed by local and international brand owners, the UAE trademark office has reduced the registration fee payable for trademark applications by one-third. Read more

2 Jul 2019

How AI will revolutionise trademark searches

21 May 2019

ILPTO upholds registration of former Soviet trademarks for sweets

The Israel Patent and Trademark Office has considered an interesting dispute concerning several marks registered in the name of two major Russian confectionery manufacturers for sweets from the Soviet era. Read more

2 May 2019

High Court clarifies legal position on conflicting trademark and business name rights

A recent Kenyan High Court decision has clarified the legal position in respect of the conflict between trademark and business name rights, which has arisen primarily because the trademarks registry and the business names registry are not interlinked. Read more

Trademark law

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1 Oct 2019

New editions of WTR and Pharmaceutical Trademarks: A Global Guide now available

The Autumn 2019 edition of WTR, revealing the top filers at key registries across Asia, and the eighth edition of Pharmaceutical Trademarks: A Global Guide are now published. Read more

1 Oct 2019

Trademark licensing in Africa: an A-Z whistle-stop tour

With Africa proving to be a particularly lucrative region for brands seeking licensing opportunities, we examine what rights holders need to know about trademark licences from a swathe of nations across the continent. Read more

26 Sep 2019

Trademark licensing in Africa: close-up on South Africa

Africa is fast becoming a key region for brands looking for new markets, especially with regard to licensing, and nowhere is this more true than South Africa. We look at what rights holders need to know about the country's licensing regime. Read more

26 Sep 2019

Trademark licensing in Africa: inside three key jurisdictions

With Africa proving a particularly lucrative region for brands seeking licensing opportunities, we examine what rights holders need to know about trademark licences in three key jurisdictions from across the continent Read more

latest

Limited time remains to nominate the industry’s leading lights for recognition in the WTR 300

Are international trademark registrations valid in Zambia?

Good news for trademark owners and practitioners: new tribunal for opposition matters inaugurated

Don’t miss your chance to win a free delegate place at an upcoming WTR event

Twitter

13 Nov 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @TCompuMark: The start-up nation of the world, Israel, is shifting to support more mature companies. @WTRmagazine covers this change and… Read more

12 Nov 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @TCompuMark: You’ve probably heard of the Google/Fitbit tie-up but, do you know what doors this could open? Check out what our CompuMark… Read more

12 Nov 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @MarksmenTweets: Risqué business: lessons from the Unilever and Kraft Heinz Pornhub advertising backlash https://t.co/bmu4KVZFCm by @WT… Read more

12 Nov 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @PRAlliance: Five #counterfeit hotspots #Nepal brand owners must be aware of https://t.co/nEXmLkzpOd Read more