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 2020 China became the number one filing country for EU trademarks and number two for registered Community designs – with EU trademark filings from the country up a staggering 89% year on year.
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
Following lengthy opposition proceedings in which the case was appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union and sent back to the General Court, the latter has reiterated that there was no likelihood of confusion between the figurative mark BBQLOUMI and the collective mark HALLOUMI. 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 European Commission has published an IP action plan,signalling its intention to reviewEU legislation on design protection, strengthen the protection of GIs and oblige platforms to act on illegal content and goods. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at US Customs and Brand Protection intercepting a large shipment of counterfeits, Fieldfisher launching a Brexit docketing tool, the USPTO appointing a new counsel, and much more. Read more
In this second part of exclusive insights from the EU Intellectual Property Office, the agency shares more of its value-add tools and services, how it is raising awareness of IP, and its plans for the future. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at the US Department of Homeland Security investing in an anti-counterfeit blockchain start-up, a next-generation trademark status tool launching, and much more. 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 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
For the second year in a row, the Scotch Whisky Association has prevailed as WTR’s Not-for-Profit Organisation Team of the Year. Deputy director of legal affairs Lindesay Low discusses the strategy behind the group’s multiple successes over the past 12 months. 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 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
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
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
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 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
We got a brand-new, superb modern office in Dusseldorf – all our other offices are jealous! The Dusseldorf office has also been strengthened with the addition of attorney at law Michael Munsch and patent attorneys Markus Wanke and Constantijn van Lookeren Campagne. Read more
The most important thing is to consider imitations – not only their prevalence in the industry or sector in which the client is operating, but also the client’s experience in the market. Read more
A week after the EUIPO released a new search database for all geographical indications protected at EU level, the Consortium for Common Food Names has laid down the gauntlet by pledging to “stand up to the EU's destructive GI agenda”. Read more
As the scheme winds down on its four-year strategic plan in Southeast Asia, WTR catches up with project leader Tiago Guerreiro on the initiative’s successes and future goals. Read more
In the latest in our series on IP innovation, the EU Intellectual Property Office shares the innovative digital tools and services it has launched or is developing for the future. 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
A major new investigation from WTR has identified over 6,800 trademarks and 6,900 domain names that appear to be related to multi-millionaire and serial trademark filer Michael Gleissner. Read more
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
The public consultation over the European Commission’s Digital Services Act ended last week, and on the issue of intermediary liability, the commission is faced with a choice between evolution or revolution. Read more
In these invalidity proceedings against the mark JCE HOTTINGUER based on the unregistered earlier national trademark HOTTINGER, the EU General Court considered the conditions for the application of Article 8(4) of Regulation 207/2009. Read more
In opposition proceedings involving 3D marks representing champagne bottles, the General Court has found that the Board of Appeal of the EUIPO had erred in its assessment of the likelihood of confusion between the marks. Read more
In these invalidity proceedings involving the signs MARQ and MARK, the key issue that could have led to the annulment of the EUIPO’s decision was not raised by the applicant. 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
As the Brexit transitional period comes to an end and the United Kingdom finds itself no longer governed by EU law, local practitioners should be aware of the impact on various aspects of trademark practice. Read more
In this guest analysis, Bristows’ Simon Clark and Lucie Fortune take a closer look at a recent case involving artist Banksy and consider the takeaways for artists looking to register representations of their artworks as EU figurative marks. Read more
@WTR_Alerts RT @WTR_Alerts: “I will never give up” – in an exclusive interview, a small business owner in Manilla, Philippines, who is embroiled in a t… Read more