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“An enormous opportunity” – IP provisions of EU-Mercosur Agreement lauded

The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of countries have agreed a comprehensive trade agreement that includes significant IP provisions that rights holders should be aware of.

8 Jul 2019

UK trademark attorney salaries continue to rise despite Brexit uncertainty

Research reveals that base salaries have risen across the board for UK IP roles. The news will be positively received by those toiling in the trademark trenches while bracing themselves for the possible negative economic impact of Brexit.

2 Jul 2019

“Greatly beneficial” – IP provisions of EU-Vietnam free trade agreement praised by experts

The landmark EU-Vietnam Trade Agreement has been officially signed. Talking to WTR, IP practitioners claim that the agreement will lead to significant changes to the trademark, design and GI system in Vietnam.

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19 Jul 2019

European Union loses €60 billion each year in sales due to counterfeiting

The EUIPO’s 2019 Status Report on IPR Infringement has revealed that annual losses due to counterfeiting and piracy in the European Union are estimated at €60 billion, which is equivalent to 7.4% of all EU-wide sales. Read more

15 Jul 2019

General Court: iconic Gibson V-shaped guitar body invalid as 3D mark

In Gibson Brands Inc v EUIPO, the EU General Court has confirmed the partial declaration of invalidity of a three-dimensional sign representing Gibson’s iconic V-shaped electric guitar body. Read more

9 Jul 2019

adidas decision: General Court reiterates importance of evidence in trademark disputes

In adidas AG v EUIPO, the EU General Court has confirmed that adidas’ three-stripe mark was invalid as a result of its lack of distinctiveness, whether inherent or acquired through use. Read more

5 Jul 2019

Victory for AC Milan as Marriott’s opposition against AC MILAN mark fails

The EU General Court has confirmed that there was no likelihood of confusion between AC Milan’s figurative mark AC MILAN in Class 43 and earlier marks containing the element ‘AC’ owned by hotel chain Marriott. Read more

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Anti-counterfeiting

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17 Jun 2019

How the Reckitt Benckiser trademark team took restructuring in its stride

Restructuring can cause a number of headaches for a company, but the WTR Household and Consumer Goods Team of the Year, Reckitt Benckiser, has proven that adaptability and effective communication are the secret to ensuring that enforcement efforts remain uncompromised during times of upheaval. Read more

14 Jun 2019

EUIPO enforcement portal, most cyber-attacked brands, and ACG anti-counterfeiting award winners: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at changes to Canadian registrations occurring next week, Unilever seeing a pay-off from purpose-led brands, brands being reminded to renew marks in Rwanda, and much more. Read more

13 May 2019

Border seizure measures in the European Union

According to a series of studies on IP infringement published in December 2016 by the EU Intellectual Property Office, the presence of fake goods in the marketplace causes the EU economy to lose over €83 billion and 790,000 jobs every year, as well as €14.3 billion in government revenue. Read more

13 May 2019

Brexit and the future of anti-counterfeiting collaboration

Brexit is a difficult road to travel and ensuring continued high levels of enforcement cooperation will prove difficult. Once the United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union, it will effectively become a third country that is unlikely to have direct access to many key databases. Read more

Brand management

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1 May 2019

Focusing on trade dress in the European Union

As the use of distinctive and non-traditional signs continues to evolve, EU legislation now allows for objects, actions and patterns, among others, to be registered as trademarks, with a key focus on trade dress. Read more

1 May 2019

Focusing on trade dress in the European Union

15 Apr 2019

“You need to be willing to stay the course”: brand management insights from Coty Inc’s Joseph Conklin

In an exclusive interview with WTR, Joseph Conklin, senior vice president and global deputy general counsel for beauty company Coty Inc, has revealed how he approaches brand rights enforcement and ensures cross-company collaboration. Read more

28 Mar 2019

How Signify’s IP team undertook its global rebrand from Philips Lighting: exclusive interview

Senior IP counsel Joeri Mombers provides a detailed insider’s view of lighting giant Signify's "once in a lifetime" trademark project. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

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15 Jul 2019

General Court: iconic Gibson V-shaped guitar body invalid as 3D mark

9 Jul 2019

adidas decision: General Court reiterates importance of evidence in trademark disputes

In adidas AG v EUIPO, the EU General Court has confirmed that adidas’ three-stripe mark was invalid as a result of its lack of distinctiveness, whether inherent or acquired through use. Read more

5 Jul 2019

Victory for AC Milan as Marriott’s opposition against AC MILAN mark fails

2 Jul 2019

CJEU adds pressure on disclaimers for descriptive trademark elements following further harmonisation

Following a request for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Article 4(1)(b) of Directive 2008/95, the Court of Justice of the European Union has considered the effects of a disclaimer on the extent of protection of an earlier mark. Read more

Goverment/policy

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12 Apr 2019

Fake Tequila auction, ICANN to decide fate of ‘.amazon’, and EUIPO releases short movie: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at a Wine Label IP Directory being launched, AB InBev being sued by a clothing brand for trademark infringement, The PCT Network going global, and much more. Read more

5 Apr 2019

China data to TMview this year, Brazil moves closer to Madrid, and Beckham versus Inter Milan: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at luxury brands focused on Chinese e-commerce platforms, IP Australia opening a public consultation on fees, Red Points receiving funding injection, and much more. Read more

2 Apr 2019

Cornish Pasty ranked most well-known UK GI product, as associations warn of Brexit risk

A new study has identified the most well-known geographical indication (GI) products in the United Kingdom, with GI association experts concurrently warning of the risks that Brexit poses. Read more

27 Mar 2019

Warnings issued over controversial copyright law in wake of European Parliament approval

The European Parliament voted yesterday in favour of the new EU Copyright Directive, which has been the focus of intense lobbying. We take a look at what it actually means for platforms and content creators. Read more

Law firms

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21 Feb 2019

Why every trademark lawyer should spend time in-house: exclusive interview with Bacardi’s Anna Panka

While legal know-how is critical for law firm practitioners, an understanding of the corporate business environment should not be underestimated. That is the message conveyed by Anna Panka, senior counsel at Bacardi, in an exclusive interview with WTR. Read more

2 Oct 2018

“The EUIPO should lead on enforcement” – trademark community reacts to Archambeau appointment

National IP offices within the European Union, key trademark associations and leading filing law firms in the EU react to the appointment of Christian Archambeau as the new executive director of the EUIPO. Read more

24 Aug 2018

A-Z of EU trademark court practice and performance: Netherlands to Slovenia

In the fourth of our five-part series, trademark counsel from law firms across Europe provide an overview of the performance of their countries’ EU trademark courts over the past two years. Read more

7 Aug 2018

Audi launches anti-counterfeiting campaign, YouTube brand safety fiasco and TMview expands: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at the expansion of the EUIPO’s TMview search platform, Scotch Whisky attaining GI protection in South Africa, Chinese trademarks continuing rapid growth rate, and much more. Read more

IP offices

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19 Jun 2019

Three stripes, you’re out! – adidas loses appeal as EU General Court rules trademark invalid

The General Court of the European Union has upheld the decision of the EUIPO to invalidate the trademark registration for adidas’ three-stripe branding. We analyse the decision and look at reaction. Read more

19 Jun 2019

Trademark application revenue up, expenditure stabilises: five takeaways from the EUIPO’s annual report

The EUIPO has released its latest annual report, detailing its progress across such areas as staff engagement, stakeholder relationships and data protection reforms. Here are our top five takeaways. Read more

23 May 2019

“Heroes of the European economy” – major new study reveals link between IP protection and SME success

A joint study between the European Patent Office and the EU Intellectual Property Office has evidenced a clear correlation between the success of small to medium-sized businesses and their utilisation of intellectual property. Read more

19 May 2019

Brexit, China, surplus and SMEs: takeaways from Christian Archambeau’s first press briefing as EUIPO head

Christian Archambeau sat down with journalists earlier today in what was his first press briefing since he became executive director of the EUIPO. In a wide-ranging discussion, he revealed various plans that the office has in the works. Read more

Online

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15 May 2019

European Union adopts new ‘.eu’ Regulation

The European Union has adopted Regulation 2019/517, known as the ‘.eu’ Regulation, which seeks to future-proof the regulatory framework and to promote the digital single market. Read more

1 May 2019

Why active advertising services need active anti-counterfeiting measures

A recent judgment in a dispute between Facebook and Tommy Hilfiger could have a significant impact on the fight against fakes. Read more

8 Feb 2019

Irish Whiskey GI protection, no-deal Brexit anti-counterfeiting “travesty”, and Alibaba and eBay on fakes: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Brainbase raising money to bolster its licensing platform, the discovery of fake leukaemia drugs, the EUIPO turning to blockchain to fight counterfeiting, and much more. Read more

29 Jan 2019

WHOIS woes, IP mind maps, and understanding counterfeiters: takeaways on managing trademark assets

Highlights from our Managing Trademark Assets Europe event, wherein senior brand professionals shared insights on budget management, fighting counterfeits with limited resources, and more. Read more

Portfolio management

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27 Jun 2019

General Court: Board of Appeal erred in finding low degree of phonetic similarity between SUIMOX and ZYMOX

In Pet King Brands Inc v EUIPO, the EU General Court has annulled in part a decision of the EUIPO in opposition proceedings involving the marks SUIMOX and ZYMOX in Class 5. Read more

25 Jun 2019

VOGUE case: Board of Appeal erred in refusing to suspend opposition proceedings

The EU General Court has annulled a decision of the EUIPO rejecting Advance Magazine Publishers’ request for the suspension of the opposition proceedings against its VOGUE mark. Read more

21 Jun 2019

General Court confirms lack of distinctive character of BIOLATTE for dietary supplements

In Biolatte Oy v EUIPO, the EU General Court has upheld a decision of the EUIPO finding that the mark BIOLATTE was devoid of distinctive character for dietary supplements in Class 5. Read more

19 Jun 2019

Tasteless NOVICHOK - is it?

The Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office has upheld the rejection of the application to register the mark NOVICHOK for alcohol, beers and non-alcoholic beverages under the rarely invoked Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation 2017/1001. Read more

Trademark law

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28 Jun 2019

Cannabis counterfeits; the campus consequence of Brunetti; and Anheuser-Busch eyes esports market: news digest

In our latest news round-up, we look at how Alibaba is seeking increased brand engagement, Anheuser-Busch making a play for the esports industry, a USPTO call for comments, Albania’s accession to the Geneva Act and much more. Read more

27 Jun 2019

Too simple? Lessons from adidas’ three stripes trademark battle

Last week the General Court of the European Union upheld the decision of the EUIPO to invalidate the registration for adidas’ three-stripe figurative mark. In this exclusive guest post, the takeaways for trademark owners are presented. Read more

19 Jun 2019

The Scotch Whisky Association faces Brexit and GI infringement with a stiff upper lip

Lindesay Low, deputy director – legal at the Scotch Whisky Association, reveals how the company has upheld enforcement efforts amid Brexit chaos and why it remains confident in the face of international infringement, proving itself the worthy winner of WTR’s Not-for-Profit Organisation Team of the Year. Read more

16 May 2019

What you need to know before the controversial Sky v Skykick case hits the CJEU

On Monday, the Court of Justice of the European Union holds a hearing in the closely followed Skykick case. We look at how this case could have a significant impact on trademark practice. Read more

Twitter

19 Jul 2019

@WTRmagazine Takeaways from the high profile spat between Haas F1 and Rich Energy: https://t.co/qSAbBQp6K0 https://t.co/kXzQ9EDJO0 Read more

18 Jul 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @MarksmenTweets: Five #counterfeit hotspots you should be aware of in the Dominican Republic https://t.co/8bTC4deyPk by @WTRMagazine #c… Read more

18 Jul 2019

@WTRmagazine “An enormous opportunity” – the IP provisions of the EU-Mercosur Agreement set to improve the brand protection ecos… https://t.co/Q0UdrSfBCP Read more

18 Jul 2019

@WTRmagazine The full version of the 2019 WTR 300, with enhanced profiles of some of the world's leading corporate trademark pro… https://t.co/E6DpO12aXJ Read more