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China eclipses United States in latest Asia-Pacific filing figures – with Alibaba top of the pile on home turf

WTR crunches the numbers at the leading Asia-Pacific trademark offices to reveal the extent of China’s emergence as a regional superpower, with Alibaba leading the way among both agent and corporate filers at its home registry.

15 Sep 2020

Apple seizure controversy; USPTO launches innovation council; McDonald’s versus Hungry Jack’s – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a counterfeit crackdown in Guangzhou, Oracle seemingly prevailing in bid for TikTok, branded product labels being used to spread awareness of social causes, and much more.

8 Sep 2020

Controlling Black Lives Matter: the battle to trademark a movement

A WTR investigation finds over 50 attempts to register Black Lives Matter brands in 2020 so far, with one activist telling us that legal protection is necessary “so that people can't profit from it who haven't shed blood for this movement”.

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7 Sep 2020

BLACK SHEEP trademark dispute - not all sheep are the same

This Australian decision provides guidance on what types of evidence may - or may not - be sufficient to prove use of a trademark in the course of trade. Read more

4 Sep 2020

Queen Elizabeth II prevails in trademark dispute; Big Mac versus Big Jack; Kraft Heinz licensing – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a warning to act on counterfeit goods before it’s too late, Lord & Taylor filing for bankruptcy, IP Australia updating its trademark classifications, and much more. Read more

28 Aug 2020

Economies are battered but many major offices set for record trademark numbers

As the data continues to be updated, we are able to get a better understanding of the extent of the coronavirus’ impact on the trademark ecosystem. Read more

19 Aug 2020

Full Federal Court considers honest concurrent use requirements

The decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia in Ceramiche Caesar SpA v Caesarstone Ltd highlights some key issues in trademark management. Read more

Anti-Counterfeiting

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11 Aug 2020

Apple versus Prepear; IP Australia teams up with National Rugby League; ‘China quit India’ campaign launched – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at WhatsApp and Google being used by scammers to dupe consumers, ICANN heads to Kuala Lumpur, Lao joins TMclass, and much more. Read more

10 Apr 2020

INTA coronavirus donation drive; IPAustralia added to TMview; Harry and Meghan domain snafu – news digest

In our latest edition, we look at a warning over a long-term counterfeits risk, WIPO revealing its top corporate filers, Finland joining DesignClass, a change in Syrian trademark fees, and much more. Read more

25 Feb 2020

International Anti-counterfeiting Coalition relocates annual conference to Rome; WIPO election heats up; BlackBerry dispute – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at unauthorised SUSSEX ROYAL trademark applications being filed across the globe, PepsiCo purchasing a Chinese snack brand, the USPTO giving an update on its engagement efforts, and much more. Read more

18 Feb 2020

Holden brand retired; EUIPO coronavirus extension; Japan GI cancellation – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Amazon car seat criticism leading to calls for legal reform, New Zealand being added to the TMview roster, US and China battling over the WIPO director general position, and much more. Read more

Brand management

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16 Jul 2020

A connected world: learnings from the first internationally linked trademark database

In an exclusive guest post, academics in Australia share findings from their new study into the first database that links equivalent trademarks across national offices into a single comprehensive offering. Read more

23 Apr 2020

Inside Treasury Wine Estates’ 10-year battle to register its Penfolds mark in China

WTR speaks to Treasury Wine Estates’ global director of intellectual property to get the inside track on how the company prevailed in a decade-long trademark squatting case. Read more

23 Jan 2020

Sussex Royal trademark challenged: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face legal battle after receiving threat of opposition

A trademark application filed by the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the brand name 'Sussex Royal' has received a notice of threatened opposition this week, WTR can reveal. Read more

17 Jan 2020

Siemens’ controversial coal mine contract has put brand at risk of greenwashing accusations

The German conglomerate has portrayed itself as a steward of sustainability, but when it comes to corporate social responsibility, it’s an all or nothing game as this week’s coal mine contract backlash illustrates. Read more

Enforcement and Litigation

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27 Jul 2020

Same same but different: SAMSUNG QLED not deceptively similar to LG Electronics’ QLED mark

Samsung’s trademark SAMSUNG QLED has proceeded to registration in Australia despite it wholly containing LG Electronics’ QLED trademark, and despite the products on which the trademark is used by Samsung not actually using QLED technology. Read more

29 May 2020

Goodwill and trademarks: crunchy not smooth

In Kraft v Bega, the Full Court of the Federal Court has confirmed that Bega retains the right to use the trade dress for its peanut butter in Australia, which it acquired through purchasing the peanut butter business of Mondelez in 2017. Read more

8 Apr 2020

The claws come out – Caterpillar partially successful in IRONCAT oppositions

Well-known US construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has been partially successful in its oppositions to the registration of the word mark IRONCAT and the logo mark IRONCAT TYRES for tyres and related services in Australia. Read more

5 Mar 2020

When inspiration becomes misappropriation: Hashtag Burgers left DOWN-N-OUT

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled in favour of US fast-food chain In-N-Out Burgers against Australian fast-food chain Hashtag Burgers, which had started selling its burgers under the mark DOWN-N-OUT as a ‘tribute’ to In-N-Out Burgers. Read more

Government/Policy

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14 Aug 2020

Innovation at IP Australia: spotlight on non-core tools and services

In a new regular series on WTR, national IP offices share the innovative non-core tools and services that they have launched or are developing for the future. This week, we focus on innovation at IP Australia. Read more

20 Dec 2019

IP Australia fee consultation, Ferrero denied in Singapore, and call for USPTO examining attorney help: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Serbian IPO reducing its fees, the Korean IP Office getting a budget boost, US Senators opposing China’s WIPO director general nominee, and much more Read more

28 Oct 2019

Havarti cheese backlash highlights controversial and emotive nature of geographical indications

Last week, the European Commission entered the name ‘Havarti’ onto the register of protected geographical indications. The ensuing backlash serves as a microcosm of the emotive political discourse that surrounds this form of IP protection. Read more

1 Oct 2019

A tale of two flags: who owns the right to use?

The Australian government is considering whether to compulsorily acquire the rights to use the Aboriginal flag on public policy grounds. The debate raises questions over whether similar moves could occur in other jurisdictions. Read more

Law Firms

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5 Jun 2020

Australia’s economy is being challenged on all sides with impact on trademark activity yet to be seen

The country’s filing data is an early indicator that recovery is under way, but the government must still deal with the long-term impacts of the bush fires as well as the health crisis - all on top of escalating tensions with China and its first recession in nearly 29 years. Read more

1 Oct 2019

Asia’s top filers reveal strong growth prospects

World Trademark Review takes a deep dive into the top Asia-Pacific trademark offices and how they are modernising their systems to better protect applicants and streamline procedures. While this has positively affected filing levels, economic performance and domestic businesses will be key going forward. Read more

10 May 2019

IP takes backseat in Australian election as trademark practitioners grapple with recent law amendments

With campaigning in the Australian federal election in full swing, WTR finds that practitioners on the ground are not bracing for change based on the election result, but are adapting to recent legislative changes that international brand owners should be aware of. Read more

29 Mar 2019

Change.org responds to The Independent Group new name, IPOS GI registry, and delays at IP Australia: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at consumers being frustrated by “disjointed” brand experiences, an Oregon-based clothing retailer in a trademark fight against Under Armour, brands in an age of political division, and much more. Read more

IP Offices

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7 Jun 2019

Next-generation trademarks: IP Australia on using blockchain to create smart IP rights

In a world first, IP Australia is using blockchain technology to create a “digital representation” of trademark registrations. We speak with the registry’s CIO, Rob Bollard, to find out more. Read more

30 Apr 2019

Copycat wine corked, Dettol most trusted brand, and Lego gang knocked out: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at China hitting back at IP criticism, USPTO revealing cryprocurrency-related trademark applications, Alibaba settling a counterfeits case, 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

24 Apr 2019

IP Australia, EUIPO and UKIPO ranked most effective IP offices

A new survey conducted by WTR has found that IP Australia is the IP office most lauded by trademark practitioners around the world. However, users raised concerns with operations at a number of IP offices. Read more

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2 Jul 2020

In a space of their own: new second-level ‘.au’ domains

Australian third-level domains may soon be outdated due to the release of the new second-level ‘.au’ domain. This update presents key takeaway points to maximise the prospects of securing a second-level ‘.au’ domain. Read more

16 Aug 2019

When a domain name is dropped, you need the best catcher in your team

A recent decision involving the domain name ‘ogio.com.au’ under the ‘.au’ Dispute Resolution Policy is an important reminder of how panels can have different approaches to the same facts in complex cases. Read more

26 Jun 2019

Brands warned of counterfeit apps on Google Play; academic finds trademark protection of little help

A major new study has discovered nearly 50,000 potentially copycat apps on the Google Play store, with 2,000 deemed high-risk. However, the academic behind the study tells WTR that trademark protection is of limited help to combat such a widespread issue. Read more

15 Feb 2019

Venezuela trademark warning, IP Australia chatbot success, and triumph for Butlers in the Buff: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a new online service launched by the Swedish IP Office, the Babybel wax-coating trademark being invalidated, scammers filing “fake trademarks” to hijack Instagram accounts, and much more. Read more

Portfolio Management

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19 Feb 2020

Federal Court finds URBAN ALE descriptive for beer

In Urban Alley Brewery Pty Ltd v La Sirène Pty Ltd, the Federal Court of Australia has concluded that the trademark URBAN ALE for beer should be cancelled because it is descriptive of beer products produced in an inner-city location. Read more

9 Sep 2019

Federal Court clarifies limitation of own name defence

In Mitolo Wines Aust Pty Ltd v Vito Mitolo & Son Pty Ltd, the Federal Court of Australia has found that use of the name V. Mitolo and Son infringed trademark registrations for the mark MITOLO in relation to wine. Read more

5 Aug 2019

Sportsbet takes punt on descriptive mark

The decision of the Australian Trademark Office in Sportsbet Pty Ltd regarding the inherent capacity to distinguish of the mark SAME GAME MULTI provides a reminder of the perils of adopting descriptive trademarks. Read more

29 Jul 2019

Bad-faith oppositions beat BEN FORD, LIKE A BOSS

Recent Australian opposition proceedings involving the marks BARRY FORD, BEN FORD and LIKE A BOSS show that comprehensive monitoring is essential to help businesses identify and oppose applications which either infringe on an existing mark or are filed in bad faith. Read more

Trademark law

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6 Dec 2019

Twitter

18 Sep 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @balashiha_org: Gross Domestic Failure – Banksy trademark portfolio “at risk” after registration ruled invalid https://t.co/yH2ptmMUBr h… Read more

18 Sep 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @IPScott_BFKNLaw: #LionelMessi scores #EUTrademark #Messi, attempted block by Spanish cycle & sportswear company #Massi. How likely are… Read more

17 Sep 2020

@WTRmagazine This is the moment the recent Beirut explosion hit the Lebanon IP Office. "When the blast occurred that night, I r… https://t.co/Z29e1TsQ18 Read more

17 Sep 2020

@WTRmagazine Gross Domestic Failure – Banksy trademark portfolio “at risk” after registration ruled invalid.… https://t.co/khQS27kaC0 Read more

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Thomas Gaarder-Olsen

Senior Partner

Oslo, Norway

Onsagers AS

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Australia

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