Talking to WTR, a local trademark expert claims the Nigerian IP Office’s recently-launched new website has had key features removed and that ongoing staffing problems are impacting the registry’s administrative duties.
The WTR Brand Elite project tracks how a defined set of brand-focused companies with industry-leading trademark teams perform against stock market indices.
In our latest round-up, we look at Mr Potato Head going gender neutral, Beyond Meat signing new licensing deals, Pink Lady owner defending its trademark, and much more
Ethiopia’s economy is growing, and with that comes an increase in trademark filings. Here is all you need to know about registering marks in the country. Read more
Although Nigeria’s trademark law does not protect unregistered well-known trademarks against similar or identical company names, the owners of such marks may be able to rely on Section 852(1)(d) of the new Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. Read more
South African applicants account for the second highest number of trademarks in Mozambique – outranging their US counterparts by branching into previously untouched sectors. Read more
Analysis of trademark filing data over the past 15 years reveals a disproportionately high number of international registrations in the island country of São Tomé and Príncipe – spurred mostly by US software companies such as Apple and Intel. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at Nike taking a kick at counterfeit footwear manufacturers, USPTO reopening a comment period on state sovereign immunity, ICANN inviting leadership applications, and much more. Read more
The Intellectual Property Bill 2020 is only the latest in a series of developments that rights holders need to know about when building their brands in Kenya. Read more
Jaguar Land Rover’s recent prosecution successes send a clear message on how seriously the company considers its IP protection – earning the group tasked with such efforts the WTR Europe, Middle East and Africa Team of the Year Award. Read more
Apple has replaced Amazon at the top of the Brand Finance Global 500 2021 rankingof the world’s most valuable brands following a stellar 87% increase in brand value over the past year. Read more
WeChat has been named the world’s strongest brand in new research from Brand Finance, with Ferrari dropping to second place and Sber moving up to third. Read more
WTR presents exclusive insights on how the events of 2020 shaped the trademark practice of Chris McLeod from Elkington and Fife and Ronit Barzik-Soffer from Reinhold Cohn Group. Read more
WTR is seeking nominations to recognise the innovators in the trademark industry as part of a new project – and it will only take a couple of minutes to do so. Read more
The Tanzanian High Court has confirmed, for the first time, that the legal protection afforded to well-known marks by far overrides the protection obtained through a mere registration under the Companies Act. Read more
In mixed news for Italian pasta manufacturer Barilla, the Israel Trademark Office has found that the stylised mark HILDA was confusingly similar to the well-known BARILLA mark, but only if used in the same red-and-white colour combination. Read more
This judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa should reassure traders in the alcoholic beverages market of the strong protection afforded to them in instances of flagrant unlawful competition. Read more
The long-awaited Trademark Opposition Tribunal - which was announced as far back as June 2019 by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment - has finally been commissioned. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at João Negrão being appointed president of the Boards of Appeal at the EUIPO, GoDaddy launching a new IP tool, and much more. Read more
WTR presents insights on how the events of 2020 shaped the trademark practice of Karien Postma and Kay Rickelman at pan-African law firm Spoor & Fisher. Read more
As the INTA 2020 Annual Meeting draws to a close, WTR presents observations from the numerous sessions that have taken place over the past few days. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at the boss of Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority departing following a fake number plate scandal, IP Australia launching a new quality approach, and much more. Read more
We present highlights and learnings from the first week of WTR Connect, including how to prioritise enforcement budgets, fight fakes on Weixin and navigate brands through turbulent political times. Read more
This update provides a brief overview of the effects of the covid-19 pandemic in Uganda and gives a peek into the recently amended Trademark (Amendment) Regulations 2021. Read more
As part of the Kenya Industrial Property Institute’s initiative to rid its Trademarks Register of all unwanted registrations, three special journals containing trademarks that were not timeously renewed have now been published. Read more
While an online filing platform was introduced at the Trademark Registry in 2012, all other stages of processing applications are still conducted manually - and the problems linked to these manual processes only became more pronounced during the recent lockdown. Read more
New data from WTR identifies the national IP offices with websites that are most accessible for users, including those with vision or motor impairment. Read more
With the 2020 INTA Annual Meeting in full swing, WTR speaks with exhibitors at the virtual event to see how their experience compares with previous years and what changes they would like to see at future digital conferences. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at outrage over a WWE order about names and likenesses, Bumble announcing plans to go public, how counterfeiting remains a problem on Taobao, and much more. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at TikTok hosting its first shoppable live-stream, Nestlé finding a buyer for its water business, a counterfeit Nintendo Switch entering the market, and much more. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at Glossier securing protection for its pink pouch, Pakistan promoting the use of GIs, China issuing opinions for destroying infringing and counterfeit goods, and much more. Read more
As the covid-19 pandemic continues to cause severe disruption to economies and businesses around the world, Nigeria’s Trademark Registry has defied the odds and released a record number of Trademark Journals. Read more
Uganda has officially launched its National Intellectual Property Policy, which sets out the country’s strategies with regard to IP rights with the aim of achieving its socio-economic development goals. Read more
Israel’s Central District Court has held that the use of the image of a polo player is common in the fashion industry and cannot be monopolised by a single company. Read more
The upgrade of Nigeria’s online filing platform for trademark, patent and design applications, which was initiated in August 2020, has so far raised more issues and concerns than solutions for applicants. Read more
An exclusive guest post on how WIPO has been working with global IP offices to promote the advantages of alternative dispute resolution services. Read more
In a bumper edition we present budget management tips, reveal the top law firm and corporate filers in key jurisdictions across Asia, analyse the findings of our survey on non-legal trademark services, and much more. Read more
A new research paper has looked at how improvements in AI could affect trademark doctrine – with the academic behind the study claiming that “trademarks may become less important in the future”. Read more
@WTR_Alerts RT @lexlanham: should influencers be liable for knowingly accepting payment to promote counterfeit goods?
@WTR_Alerts says yes in this op… Read more
09Apr2021
@WTR_Alerts RT @WTR_Alerts: Out now - WTR’s first Special Report, charting the rise of mass filers and their impact on trademark ecosystem: https://t.c…Read more