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Crocs calls out Skechers; LegalZoom gears up for initial public offering; SurveyMonkey rebrands as Momentive – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at INTA updating its anti-counterfeiting best practices, the American Apparel & Footwear Association joining a campaign against illegal trade, Amazon and HanesBrands teaming up, and much more.

7 Jun 2021

Combat, compete or cooperate? New Zealand kiwifruit co-operative looks to brand deal to tackle unauthorised plantings

New Zealand kiwifruit co-operative Zespri is asking growers to explore a deal to address unauthorised plantings in China.

11 May 2021

Federal Circuit decision crushes Australian boot maker in long-running politically fraught UGG dispute

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has dealt a blow to a small Australian footwear company in the latest in an ongoing political and legal saga over the genericism of the UGG mark.

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15 Jun 2021

Long-running dispute over STOLICHNAYA and MOSCOVSKAYA vodka marks reignited

Ownership of these vodka brands has been hotly contested since proceedings began in 2004. The Full Court of the Australian Federal Court recently allowed an appeal by two Russian state entities, reviving the battle between the parties. Read more

19 May 2021

Full Federal Court decision in ‘community bank’ case highlights difficulty of protecting descriptive trademarks

This decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia highlights the risks of choosing a descriptive trademark, even where trademark registration has been obtained and held for a long period of time. Read more

29 Apr 2021

A case of striking impression (and all that jazz)

This decision of the Federal Court of Australia in a case involving the use of the terms ‘corner’ and ‘corner hotel’ for live music venues reinforces the importance of considering the ‘striking’ impression left by the uncommon element(s) of a mark. Read more

27 Apr 2021

The Rolling Stones and New Balance feature in Asia-Pacific Legal Updates you may have missed

Each quarter we will be running a series of pieces presenting recent Legal Updates that you may have missed. For this instalment we turn our attention to the Asia-Pacific region. Read more

Anti-Counterfeiting

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27 Oct 2020

“The myths can make companies disengage” – exclusive interview with IP Australia’s China representative

Charlotte Trinh has big ambitions to grow the role and push for more engagement between Australian brand owners and the Chinese IP system. Read more

1 Oct 2020

Amazon expands Transparency in Asia-Pacific, provides update on counterfeit interceptions

Amazon has announced the expansion of its Transparency product serialisation service to Australia and Japan. Read more

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. Read more

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

Brand management

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16 Dec 2020

“You cannot stop the IP train”: experts consider impact of Australia-China trade disputes on rights holders

The political relationship between Australia and China has further broken down. But IP experts remain confident that the tensions will not have a dramatic impact on brand work. Read more

30 Sep 2020

QAnon™ – the global efforts to trademark a far-right movement

New investigation finds trademark applications around the world related to the controversial QAnon movement, with one applicant revealing an ambitious plan to launch a global brand to “plant trees and save the oceans”. Read more

29 Sep 2020

Brands less important to consumers demanding social improvements, report reveals

Brandwatch has released the results of a survey of consumer perception on brand purpose in the light of the coronavirus pandemic. Read 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”. Read more

Enforcement and Litigation

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14 Apr 2021

While “You can’t always get what you want”, the Stones did get some “Satisfaction”

The “Hand of Fate” - or at least IP Australia - was smiling on Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones in their recent victory over Australian fashion company We the Wild Ones. Read more

9 Apr 2021

RestQ sleep aid products restrained due to similarity to Rescue Sleep products

The Australian Federal Court has restrained the maker of a sleep aid product from using the name RestQ due to the similarity with an existing product for dealing with sleeplessness sold under the names Rescue and Rescue Sleep. Read more

8 Mar 2021

Federal Court issues decision in LA FAMIGLIA case

In a case that raises several interesting points in respect of trademark registration and litigation, the Federal Court of Australia has considered whether the respondents could use LA FAMIGLIA RANA for their filled pasta products in the face of existing registrations for LA FAMIGLIA for bread products. Read more

1 Mar 2021

Full Federal Court: don’t count descriptive elements out

This decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia demonstrates that descriptive elements may constitute the striking and important feature of a mark. Read more

Government/Policy

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12 Oct 2020

“An opportunity to break new ground” – why GI negotiations between Australia and EU could be positive, despite concerns

The FTA negotiations have Australia pressured to adapt an EU-centric geographical indication regime. Local experts tell WTR of the concerns felt by rights holders. 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

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

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

Law Firms

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23 Sep 2020

Flying high: registry data shows Asia-Pacific filings are skyrocketing

Filing data at the top Asia-Pacific IP offices reveals a region undergoing spectacular growth, accounting for a colossal 80% of trademark activity worldwide last year. Spearheading the effort is China – a nation with increasing influence over its neighbours, which shows no signs of slowing down. 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

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

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

IP Offices

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21 Sep 2020

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. 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

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

Online

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16 Apr 2021

Changes to ‘.au’ domain name rules: implications for Australian trademark owners

New eligibility rules for holding a ‘.au’ domain name came into effect on 12 April 2021. It is particularly important for foreign entities holding ‘.au’ domain names to assess whether they will remain eligible. Read more

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

Portfolio Management

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18 Jan 2021

In-N-Out makes mincemeat of Hashtag Burgers

US fast-food restaurant chain In-N-Out Burgers objected to the use of DOWN-N-OUT by Hashtag Burgers in Australia. The decision shows that it is not necessary to have a place of business in the country in order to maintain a passing-off action. Read more

3 Dec 2020

Full Federal Court confirms that URBAN ALE is descriptive and deceptively similar

Following on from the Australian Federal Court's decision in February this year, the Full Federal Court has agreed that the word ‘urban’, when used in relation to beer, is descriptive as it conveys the notion that the product "was brewed in a city location". Read more

30 Nov 2020

Kraft Heinz left holding an empty peanut butter jar with no label (or lid)

The long-running battle between food giant Kraft Heinz and Australian company Bega Cheese over packaging for their peanut butters has come to an end, with Australia’s highest court throwing out Kraft’s bid to appeal an earlier ruling allowing Bega to continue using its distinctive trade dress. Read more

25 Nov 2020

Rhymes but not a crime: BOTOX v PROTOX

In a blow to pharmaceutical company Allergan, the Federal Court of Australia has concluded that the use of PROTOX and BOTOX in composite phrases for skincare products did not infringe Allergan's prior BOTOX marks. Read more

Trademark law

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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

6 Dec 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Australia

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

23 Sep 2019

The Aboriginal flag dispute in focus: 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. Kate O'Rourke of Mewburn Ellis takes a deep dive into the debate. Read more

Twitter

17 Jun 2021

@WTR_Alerts This week's WTR Long Read: The EUIPO, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and the Chilean National Inst… https://t.co/NmAmntwoPw Read more

16 Jun 2021

@WTR_Alerts RT @ResearchBuzz: Innovation at the German Patent and Trademark Office: spotlight on cutting-edge tools and services (World Trademark Revie… Read more

16 Jun 2021

@WTR_Alerts RT @BrandsAndStuff: Why the UK could be flooded with imported branded product if the exhaustion of rights regime is changed @WTR_Alerts. ht… Read more

16 Jun 2021

@WTR_Alerts RT @hillsboroatty: Someone needs to step up to tackle spurious #trademark filing platforms, but who will take the initiative? https://t.co/… Read more