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.
In our latest round-up, we look at Nestle selling its US bottled water business, Anaqua acquiring Quantify IP, Mombasa port seeing an influx of fake vaccine shipments, and much more.
This decision of the General Court highlights that, if an applicant wishes to overcome a distinctiveness issue by amending the list of goods/services, this should be done at the first instance. Read more
In an arguably surprising decision, the General Court has agreed with the EUIPO that there was no likelihood of confusion between the figurative mark PANTHÉ and earlier word and figurative marks PANTHER in Class 25. Read more
The Board of Appeal has upheld a decision of the Icelandic Intellectual Property Office finding that there was no risk of confusion between two word-and-design marks containing the word element ‘fashion tv’. Read more
The UK trademark filing landscape is changing, with new agents coming onto the scene and early analysis indicating limited impact of the new local address for service requirement. Read more
Entura will join Corsearch’s operations and expand the company’s offerings for fighting copyright infringement through online takedown capability. Read more
Matching business intelligence with a case management system infrastructure, the dual launch aims to provide innovation that the service provider landscape is currently lacking. Read more
In a guest piece, Julius Stobbs, founder of Stobbs, details the current requirements for potential trademark registrants in these unique jurisdictions. Read more
The owner of the registered trademark CLUBHOUSE has accused the rapidly-growing social network app Clubhouse – which has garnered fans including Elon Musk – of spuriously seeking the removal of his app from marketplaces. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at a joint EPO-EUIPO report showing the benefits of owning IP rights (especially if you are an SME), L Catterton gaining the upper hand in the bidding war for Birkenstock, and much more. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at Philip Morris International and the US Department of Homeland Security collaborating, Playboy in talks to acquire Lovers, the battle for Birkenstock heating up, and much more. Read more
The Supreme Court has put an end to the long-running dispute between Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding GmbH (part of Mondelez International Group) and Croatian confectionery producer Kraš over the latter’s use of the colour lilac for its packaging. Read more
In a decision that clarifies the requirements for registering trademarks consisting of slogans, the General Court has annulled a EUIPO decision finding that the mark IT’S LIKE MILK BUT MADE FOR HUMANS was devoid of any distinctive character. Read more
In opposition proceedings between two wine companies, the General court has confirmed that there was a likelihood of confusion between the marks SANGRE DE TORO and CABEÇA DE TOIRO. Read more
The Madrid Court of Appealhas upheld a trial court decision in which the defendants were sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine for illegally reproducing marks of musical groups, including those of Iron Maiden. Read more
In an exclusive interview with WTR, the new EUIPO deputy director for international cooperation, Sandris Laganovskis, reveals the opportunities and challenges that he foresees in the role. Read more
EUIPO deputy executive director Andrea Di Carlo sat down with WTR to detail last year’s work to engage SMEs and reveal the office's plans for 2021. Read more
The United Kingdom has introduced a new procedure for notifying UK IP rights to the customs authority. As with many Brexit changes, the immediate effect is administrative, but with little substantive change. Read more
In an exclusive guest post, experts at Hogan Lovells explore the current status of geographical indications in the United Kingdom – and what the future could hold for their protection. Read more
With last year’s figures now available, despite a tumultuous 2020, trademark application volumes at the EUIPO hit a record high – as this week’s data analysis reveals. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at E & J Gallo Winery acquiring over 30 brands from Constellation, Taste Beauty being picked up by Centric Brands, IPEC's new annual IP report, and much more. Read more
The transitional period may be over, but the Brexit saga is not. There are now numerous factors for trademark owners to bear in mind, with a host of new rules to become accustomed to. 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
Hard-working representatives from registries in Canada, France, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States reveal what makes them tick and how to guarantee a successful trademark application in their jurisdiction. Read more
EURid has announced that it had suspended over 81,000 ‘.eu’ domain names held by registrants citing GB/GI as country code pursuant to the end of the United Kingdom’s 11-month Brexit transition period. Read more
In an interview with WTR, the owner of a business that sells ‘smell-alike’ perfumes reveals why the popularity of cloned fragrances is on the rise, and why he believes using their own brand avoids any potential legal risk from major perfume companies. Read more
While efforts to develop a global access system for WHOIS data continue, recent developments in the United States and the European Union suggest that governments are willing to require more of registries and registrars. Read more
The EU General Court has confirmed that there was a likelihood of confusion between the figurative mark BLEND 42 VODKA and Bacardi & Co Ltd’s earlier 42 BELOW marks in Classes 33 and 35. Read more
The UK’s Intellectual Property Enterprise Court has handed a decisive victory to Italian fashion company Freddy SpA in a case that considers the role that passing off, patents and unregistered designs can play in combatting copycats in the fashion industry. Read more
In this arguably debatable decision, the EU General Court concluded - contrary to the EUIPO - that there was no likelihood of confusion between BIM READY and BIM FREELANCE for “training services” in Class 41. Read more
easyGroup’s attempt to strengthen its rights in the EASY family of marks has been thwarted by the UKIPO, which refused to register the mark EASY for various services in Classes 35, 39 and 43. Read more
Bentley Motors has lost its appeal against a ruling in a long-running dispute with Bentley Clothing. However, the clothing company's director has slammed the current legal system. Read more
The review of design law in the EU is a hot topic following last month’s European Commission report. In an exclusive guest post, Andrea Leonelli from Allen & Overy looks at the findings and what could happen next. Read more
In the absence of a harmonised EU law on image rights, individuals are forced to rely on a combination of copyright and human rights claims to protect their most unique asset online – their own image. Read more
With millions of images shared online every day, striking a balance between the rights of the individual and freedom of expression is a complex task. Thankfully, various regulations can offer protection in the absence of specific publicity and image rights. Read more
@WTR_Alerts RT @WinklerPartners: “This is startling and of great concern”: @INTA report lays out blueprint to remedy gender inequalities in IP professi… Read more