Region: Cuba

With no unified trademark system and a rich landscape of languages and practices, the Caribbean is a highly nuanced terrain with some potential pitfalls that brand owners and practitioners must navigate.

23 September 2020

Recent efforts by US Customs and Border Protection, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and INTERPOL are a stark warning to counterfeiters in the region – particularly where fake goods are linked to organised crime and terrorism.

10 September 2020

In our latest round-up, we look at the Chinese Supreme Court ordering Muji to pay $89,000, US Customs cracking down on fake handbags, the EUIPO inviting comments on its trademark evidence project, and much more.

17 December 2019

The World Trade Organisation’s panel report in the cases brought against Australia’s plain packaging regime is difficult reading – and some of its key arguments are without merit.

10 September 2018

In our latest round-up, we look at Alibaba and Kantar teaming up to redefine brand building in China, Ukraine's institution of IP inspectors, the musician ordered to pay $2 million for trademark infringement, and more.

22 June 2018

In our latest news round-up we look at the announcement of a new IP minister in the UK, INTA welcomes its new president, the latest development in the long-running Havana Club dispute, and much more.

12 January 2018

When a new market opens up, some may seek to take advantage of the fact that many brand owners have not yet registered their trademarks there as they are not doing business in that jurisdiction.

13 April 2016

A number of well-known brand-related trademarks, including UBER, COMCAST, FEDEX and some related to international law firms, have been filed in Cuba by entities that appear to be unrelated to the legitimate brand owner. With single entities responsible for a multiple number of such applications, it highlights the growing need for brand owners to have an effective monitoring strategy in Cuba.

07 April 2016

In January we noted that the resumption of legal proceedings would make the US federal district court the key battleground for control of the Havana Club brand in the US. This week Bacardi filed an amended complaint, asking for the removal of the HAVANA CLUB mark from the register.

15 March 2016

In our previous coverage of the dispute over the Havana Club brand, we noted that the resumption of legal proceedings would make the US Federal District Court the key battleground. However, following a combative US House of Representatives hearing on confiscated property in Cuba, it is clear that it remains a hot-button issue in political circles.

12 February 2016