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Observatory paper highlights good practices for social media companies to consider in fight against fakes

A new discussion paper from the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights has taken a deep dive into the challenges faced by IP owners, law enforcement authorities and tech companies in tackling infringement on social media.

15 Jun 2021

South Korea reports record trademark applications; Selfridges for sale; Right Guard under new ownership – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at OpSec Security introducing a new integrated authentication label, the Portuguese IP office launching an anti-counterfeiting site for kids, and much more.

12 Jun 2021

Why the UK could be flooded with cheap imported branded products if post-Brexit exhaustion of rights regime is changed

In this week’s opinion piece, Lee Curtis and Rebecca Field from HGF explain why it is crucially important for brand owners to have their say as part of the UK government's post-Brexit exhaustion of IP rights consultation.

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16 Jun 2021

General Court annuls EUIPO decision in HISPANO SUIZA case

The General Court found that the EUIPO was wrong to rule out, as a matter of principle, the relevance of the ‘market practice’ criterion in its examination of the similarity of the goods. Read more

15 Jun 2021

Refusal of application for RING upheld on appeal

The Icelandic Board of Appeal has confirmed the partial refusal of the application for the mark RING on the ground that it was descriptive of certain goods in Class 9, including doorbells. Read more

11 Jun 2021

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. Read more

11 Jun 2021

The Swiss register is stable and a fan favourite for foreign businesses, particularly those from the US

Switzerland’s economy is highly integrated in the global market, with trademark data revealing how the country is an important consideration for expanding brands. Read more

Anti-Counterfeiting

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8 Jun 2021

INTA seeks brand stories; IACC and National IPR Center partnership; new GIs in Pakistan – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at China’s 2021 International Trademark Brand Festival being announced, the top Indian brands showing record brand value growth, Bed Bath & Beyond launching more private brands, and much more. Read more

7 Jun 2021

EU detentions tumble but value of seized goods unchanged as infringers shift product focus

Newly released data from the EUIPO reveals that detentions of IP-infringing goods at the EU border and within the EU market tumbled by over a fifth in 2019 – although the overall value of detained goods remained largely the same. Read more

4 Jun 2021

Tesla overtakes Apple in trademark furore; Madrid Protocol passed in Jamaica; GOOD YEAR well known in India – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the explosive increase in trademark applications in Chile, the appointment of a new president at the Licensing Executives Society International, and much more. Read more

2 Jun 2021

Emerging threats and trends in online brand protection; share your insights

WTR is asking readers to share their experience of the online brand protection environment in the past 12 months, in an effort to identify how practice is evolving in response to emerging threats. Read more

Brand management

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10 Jun 2021

Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis

As the novel coronavirus epidemic continues to spread across the globe, WTR provides an updated look at measures that national IP offices have launched in response. Read more

4 Jun 2021

Recent media tie-ups reveal value of IP in the streaming wars

Amazon will take on MGM’s portfolio, while WarnerMedia will be combined with Discovery. Both stand to gain the rights to famous content and brands. Read more

1 Jun 2021

“It is a balancing act – cost versus risk”: exclusive insight on managing the H&M portfolio

Legal counsel and H&M veteran Björn Norberg reveals how IP protection has changed at the Swedish high-street giant over the past 20 years. Read more

28 May 2021

Hendrick’s defeats Lidl in lookalike gin dispute; INTA reveals Annual Meeting plans; Etihad launches sonic brand – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the EUIPO replacing email attachments with links, a stinky tofu restaurant trademark invalidated for satirising a football team, and much more. Read more

Enforcement and Litigation

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10 Jun 2021

MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS: an ultimately illusory risk of confusion

This decision of the General Court reiterates that, where a sign consists of both figurative and word elements, it does not automatically follow that it is the word element which must always be considered to be dominant. Read more

9 Jun 2021

Appointed person rejects applicant’s DIGIT on appeal

This decision highlights the importance of considering the purchasing act of the average consumer. Read more

7 Jun 2021

Good news for Ford as General Court confirms likelihood of confusion between KUGA and KUGOO

The General Court has handed a victory to US car manufacturer Ford Motor Company, finding that there was a likelihood of confusion between Chinese company Yongkang Kugooo Technology’s mark KUGOO and Ford’s earlier KUGA marks in Class 12. Read more

4 Jun 2021

Blow for Puma as General Court rules on conditions governing application of Article 8(5)

The General Court confirmed that Puma had not demonstrated how Gemma Group’s mark, which represents a bounding feline and covers industrial products, might devalue the image of Puma’s earlier trademarks. Read more

Government/Policy

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8 Jun 2021

“National exhaustion is off the agenda” – reaction as UK government opens consultation on post-Brexit regime

The UK government has launched a consultation on the UK’s future regime for the exhaustion of IP rights and parallel trade, laying out various options for respondents to consider. Read more

31 May 2021

Innovation at the German Patent and Trademark Office: spotlight on cutting-edge tools and services

In exclusive insights, the German Patent and Trademark Office reveals the innovative non-core tools and services that it offers trademark users. Read more

21 May 2021

How China’s political disputes with trade partners impacted trademark filings, both at home and abroad

China is, and has been, embroiled in many disputes on the world stage, which has had knock-on effects on brand owners. Read more

21 May 2021

Chilean Senate approves Madrid Protocol; UKIPO publishes new corporate plan; Anaqua acquires Actio IP – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Alt Legal partnering with Clarivate, a brand incubator landing $70 million in funding, the USPTO announcing new covid-19 pilots, and much more. Read more

Law Firms

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14 May 2021

Qatar Airways decries VisitQatar.com; Donuts launches anti-phishing tool; INTA to hold free legal clinic – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at brands risking a boycott for poor ad placement, new plans for the Victoria’s Secret brand, and much more. Read more

7 May 2021

The Gambia joins Banjul Protocol; UGG dispute latest; Venezuelan IPO reduces fees – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Nextbite adding more celebrity virtual brands to its portfolio, Native American tribes including tribal insignias in the USPTO's database for free, and much more. Read more

5 May 2021

“The bedrock of a good D&I strategy is listening to your team”: how Crowell & Moring is creating positive change in the workplace

Judith Bussé, counsel and a member of the Crowell & Moring IP group, reveals how the firm’s hiring practices and formal actions are part of a proactive effort to create positive change on a national and international level. Read more

4 May 2021

Wrigley takes on THC-infused Skittles; Diablo trademark dispute; EUIPO launches SME support fund – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a court valuing the name and likeness of Michael Jackson, Anaqua acquiring SeeUnity, ICANN publishing its ‘proposed for adoption’ financial and budget plans, and much more. Read more

IP Offices

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20 May 2021

Fraud concern as hundreds of applicant passport numbers discoverable online, including TMview

A fraud expert has voiced concern at passport numbers of trademark applicants being published by IP offices around the world, all of which are discoverable on the EUIPO’s TMview search platform. Read more

19 May 2021

“The death knell for his portfolio” – Banksy loses another trademark in bitter IP dispute

A trademark owned by street artist Banksy has been declared invalid by the EUIPO, with the attorney for the opposing party claiming that “the real nail in the coffin” that led to the decision was “the public comments of Banksy and his lawyer”. Read more

19 May 2021

TMview takes giant step forward as 32 million Chinese trademarks added to free database

The EUIPO and the China National IP Administration have today announced the availability of Chinese trademark data in TMview. Read more

7 May 2021

Trademark filings keep climbing as world edges towards normalcy

The numbers are well above last year’s figures, but the growth may not be sustained. Read more

Online

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31 May 2021

EUIPO observatory study reveals cybersquatting trends and tactics

New data from the EUIPO’s European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights has uncovered the tactics used by cybersquatters and how these differ according to the industry in which the targeted brand operates. Read more

21 May 2021

Purchase of competitors’ trademarks as keywords on Google and other search engines does not violate unfair competition law

In a long-awaited decision, the Borgarting Appellate Court has held that, although such practice is somewhat parasitic, it does not amount to an act contrary to good business practice in violation of unfair competition law. Read more

17 May 2021

Seven takeaways on IP infringement in social media: what the data reveals

The European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights has studied almost 4 million online conversations and revealed that 11% of those focused on physical products could be related to counterfeit goods. Read more

7 May 2021

‘.ua’-DRP becomes applicable to new domain zones

The ‘.ua’ Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy is now applicable to several Ukrainian district-specific third-level domain zones - including ‘.kyiv.ua’ and ‘.kiev.ua’, the most popular Ukrainian regional domain zones. Read more

Portfolio Management

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4 Jun 2021

Regional Court of Appeal issues controversial reversal decisions

The Ankara Regional Court of Appeal has reversed several first-instance decisions on procedural grounds, even though the ground for reversal was not compatible with the appeal court’s reasons for reversal. Read more

3 Jun 2021

General Court finds no likelihood of confusion between octagonal water bottles

The General Court held that the selling arrangements for the bottles - either in the food aisles of supermarkets or in bars/restaurants - meant that, prior to purchase, consumers would concentrate mainly on the word and figurative elements on their labels. Read more

2 Jun 2021

High Court dismisses trademark infringement and passing-off claims in POLO CLUB case

The High Court of England and Wales has dismissed all claims of passing off and infringement of the BEVERLY HILLS POLO CLUB logo due to the use of the GREENWICH POLO CLUB logo. Read more

2 Jun 2021

Court finds no infringement in VinnGroup v Vinnergi

This decision of the Swedish Patent and Market Court highlights the difficulties faced by plaintiffs claiming to benefit from enhanced protection due to the existence of a family of marks. Read more

Trademark law

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11 May 2021

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: France

As a member of the European Union and WIPO, France complies with all EU regulations and directives, as well as all the major international treaties concerning IP rights. As such, EU trademarks and designs are protected in all French territory. Read more

11 May 2021

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: Italy

As an EU member state, Italy applies all the relevant EU regulations (including those on border measures) and has implemented the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) and the main international agreements in this field. Read more

11 May 2021

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: Romania

Among the customs offices located on the EU border, the one in Constanţa Sud-Agigea harbour is by far the most important when it comes to combating the trafficking of counterfeit goods by sea. Read more

11 May 2021

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: Greece

Greece is one of five member states of the European Union accounting for more than 90% of the total detentions of suspected counterfeit goods in the EU internal market and appears in both the top rankings of detentions by number of items and estimated value of items detained. Read more

Twitter

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

15 Jun 2021

@WTR_Alerts Malaysia - Legal Update Alert: This groundbreaking decision of the Malaysian Federal Court, which is in line with d… https://t.co/Hjk7o6kUph Read more