Visit IAM Logo
Subscribe now

North America

The traditional, the ambitious and the pragmatic: unpacking INTA’s new strategic plan

INTA’s new strategic plan makes perfect sense when viewed against the backdrop of the past 18 months and the need to ensure members see clear ROI on their dues, argues this week’s Saturday opinion.

The traditional, the ambitious and the pragmatic: unpacking INTA’s new strategic plan
One action, many targets: the litigation strategies behind multiple-seller counterfeiting cases
25 Nov 2021

One action, many targets: the litigation strategies behind multiple-seller counterfeiting cases

The Long Read: To combat the tactics used by sophisticated online sellers, a number of brands have successfully implemented litigation programmes seeking asset restraints against multiple seller aliases in a single case.

NFTs – the next generation: how cartoon apes could change the face of digital ownership
24 Nov 2021

NFTs – the next generation: how cartoon apes could change the face of digital ownership

The Bored Ape Yacht Club has got lawyers scratching their heads over what native intellectual property in the non-fungible token space means for the future of IP rights.

Latest

View all
24 Nov 2021

The Final Rule implementing the Trademark Modernisation Act of 2020: what has changed

Last week the USPTO amended its rules of practice in trademark cases to implement provisions of the Trademark Modernisation Act of 2020. This guest analysis explores the changes that trademark professionals should be aware of. Read more

23 Nov 2021

Unilever sells tea brands for $5 billion; Zeeger Vink elected 2022 INTA president; OBS Project and Streamlabs dispute – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Burberry winning $138,000 in attorney fees from Burberry Jesus, a new study revealing $68.9 billion of retail theft, and much more. Read more

20 Nov 2021

INTA 2022 venue switch no surprise but Asia event will be high on future agenda

INTA will be hosting its 2022 Annual Meeting in Washington DC as a physical event with virtual elements. But the association will be keen to head back to Asia before 2024, this week’s Saturday opinion argues. Read more

19 Nov 2021

INTA reveals new Strategic Plan; NFTs to revolutionise anti-counterfeiting; INAPI gives Madrid Protocol update – INTA 2021 report

For a final time, WTR takes a look at the highlights and learnings from this year’s INTA Annual Meeting. Read more

Anti-Counterfeiting

View all
19 Nov 2021

Shell ditches ‘Royal Dutch’; INFORM Consumers Act applauded; EUIPO adjusts attachment pilot – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Authentic Brands Group buying a UK photography archive, 10 million adverts for counterfeit goods being removed, and much more. Read more

16 Nov 2021

Cleveland Guardians settlement; Nike postpones Travis Scott collaboration; sugary plain packaging called for – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Vans suing Walmart over “poorly made” copycats, Justin Bieber teaming up with Tim Hortons, and much more. Read more

12 Nov 2021

Amazon and Weber lawsuit team-up; Tiffany and Supreme collaboration; anti-counterfeiting supporting sustainability – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the South African IP office warning of email issues, a major new e-commerce platform launching in Kenya, and much more. Read more

5 Nov 2021

EUIPO gears up for API launch; Buy Safe America Coalition calls for action; Fat Brands acquires Fazoli’s – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at why brands with sonic logos are perceived as 5% more valuable, Coca-Cola gaining full control of BodyArmor, and much more. Read more

Brand management

View all
19 Nov 2021

Johnson & Johnson decides bigger is not better

The corporate schism will enable the company to spend more time nurturing and promoting its household brands. Read more

18 Nov 2021

Enforcement tips from Starbucks; Mastercard recognised for bettering society; judges look to the future – INTA 2021 report

WTR offers more highlights, learnings and observations from the midway point of INTA's 2021 Annual Meeting. Read more

17 Nov 2021

Amazon to extend Black Business Accelerator; combatting mental health stigma; a musical message – INTA 2021 report

WTR presents highlights and observations from the first two days of the 2021 INTA Annual Meeting. Read more

15 Nov 2021

From Singapore to Washington DC: INTA announces 2022 Annual Meeting plans

INTA has announced that its 2022 Annual Meeting will be held in Washington DC as a physical event with virtual components. Read more

Enforcement and Litigation

View all
17 Nov 2021

‘Banksy of trademarks’ retires: after numerous high-profile disputes, vows no more filings

In an exclusive interview with WTR, the ‘Banksy of trademarks’ reveals various legal settlements with major companies and public figures in recent years. Read more

15 Nov 2021

Standing challenge brews trouble in trademark dispute

In this dispute between two beer brewing companies, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has addressed for the first time Article III standing in a trademark case. Read more

8 Nov 2021

Not on my watch: disclosure of restored goods’ source obviates consumer confusion

In a dispute over the sale of restored antique pocket watches, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has confirmed that the defendant’s use of the plaintiff’s mark in connection with the sale of used goods did not create consumer confusion. Read more

1 Nov 2021

Modest bounce-back for US trademark litigation levels predicted as top plaintiffs and defendants revealed

Trademark litigation filings at US district court level are set to exceed 2020’s number this year, according to the latest data from Docket Navigator. Read more

Government/Policy

View all
12 Nov 2021

New IP office standards body set to launch in effort to combat stark digital disparities

The International Intellectual Property Standards Group will launch in the coming months with the aim of advocating for improved standardisation at IP offices, WTR can reveal. Read more

10 Nov 2021

“Enormous momentum” – global spread of plain packaging revealed in new report

A new report delves into health warnings and plain packaging on tobacco products, revealing a significant uptick in brand restrictions over the past couple of years. Read more

2 Nov 2021

Squid Game streamer dilemma; Meta PCs changes name to Facebook; Walmart and Gap reunite – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at counterfeiting increasing by 56% in the Philippines, WIPO launching a young experts programme, and much more. Read more

29 Oct 2021

Amazon backs INFORM Act; INTA unveils capsule keynotes; Mattel expands Disney licensing – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the UK government launching a consultation on AI and IP, Jessica Simpson regaining control of her self-titled brand, and more. Read more

Law Firms

View all
18 Nov 2021

Chicago IP firms credit diversity efforts as billable hours

Time spent on diversity, equity and inclusion will now be credited as billable hours at five prominent Chicago law firms. We examine the new policy and what it could mean for the industry as a whole. Read more

15 Nov 2021

How to better support employees and their families: insight from Sheppard Mullin

Sheppard Mullin chief D&I officer Lois Durant reveals how the firm continuously improves its policies to better support families, and why quantitative and qualitative data analysis is vital to an effective D&I programme. Read more

27 Oct 2021

Stellar speaker line-ups revealed for upcoming WTR events in Europe and the US

WTR is pleased to unveil the speaker line-up for its upcoming series of one-day events in London, San Francisco, Chicago and New York this December. Read more

22 Oct 2021

Nauru opens trademark office; Facebook plans new name; Tencent named China’s most valuable brand – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Brazilian IPO introducing GI stamps, the SUN JAM trademark case being settled in Zimbabwe, and much more. Read more

IP Offices

View all
4 Nov 2021

“Disgusting fraud” – USPTO targets Trademark Terminal operator Abtach with scathing show-cause order

In one of the biggest anti-fraud crackdowns in its history, the USPTO has issued a show-cause order to Pakistan-based company Abtach Ltd. Read more

27 Oct 2021

President Biden announces pick for next USPTO director; trademark policy to take backseat in hearings

US President announces intention to nominate Kathi Vidal for the position of Under Secretary for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. Read more

26 Oct 2021

Apple loses Huawei legal battle; Trump’s trademark spree; Gucci counterfeits seized – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at CPA Global announcing that it will go by Clarivate, how e-commerce is used to peddle fake goods, and much more. Read more

22 Oct 2021

The pandemic’s delayed impact on the trademark landscape

2020 was a record-breaking year, but opposite trends are taking place in 2021. Read more

Online

View all
5 Nov 2021

CIRA partners with ScamAdviser to combat fraudulent sites

The Canadian domain name registry has recently announced a partnership with ScamAdviser aimed at strengthening its anti-fraud capabilities. Read more

3 Nov 2021

“We need to move on this”: Senate committee hearing widens discussion on platform counterfeiting responsibilities

At the annual meeting of ASOP Global, calls were made for social media companies and e-commerce platforms to be compelled to do more to fight illicit trade. Shortly after, a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing explored just that. Read more

2 Nov 2021

Philippines businessman plans Archewell launch in US, vows to block Duke and Duchess of Sussex

A small business owner who last year became embroiled in a trademark dispute with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has told WTR he plans to launch his Archewell Cosmetics brand in the US. Read more

28 Oct 2021

Inside the battle against illegal online pharmacies: interview with ASOP Global

WTR sits down with Libby Baney from the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies to get the inside track on their efforts to combat illegal online drug sales. Read more

Portfolio Management

View all
25 Oct 2021

Accessory designer prevails in lawsuit brought by Frankie Edith Kerouac Parker’s estate

In this dispute over the use of the name Edie Parker (the first wife of Jack Kerouac and a figure of the Beat Generation), a US district court has held that the common law right of publicity cannot be used to deprive a defendant of its federally-secured trademark rights. Read more

20 Oct 2021

“The loss of the disparagement bar is something to be truly lamented” – new study looks at USPTO post-Tam

A new research paper has analysed the removal of the disparagement provision at the USPTO following the Supreme Court’s groundbreaking Matal v Tam ruling. Read more

19 Oct 2021

US trademark filing activity is on the decline: is it indicative of a dwindling economy?

In an exclusive guest post, it is revealed that US trademark filings could see the first decline in over a decade – and the reason for the unexpected fall could be a concern for the wider economic condition. Read more

18 Oct 2021

The Canadian Trademarks Act: more changes are on the way

In an exclusive guest post, Dickinson Wright partner Sanjukta Tole and associate Dan Poliwoda dive into the latest developments of the Canadian Trademarks Act. Read more

Trademark law

View all
28 Sep 2021

Facebook ruling could open floodgates for state-law claims against internet companies

A Third Circuit decision allowing a US news anchor to sue Facebook for the unauthorised use of her image could lead to a wave of state-law claims against internet companies and online platforms, legal experts warn. Read more

28 Sep 2021

Why your TTAB judgment may fall flat in court

Parties must be aware of the vital differences between TTAB administrative proceedings and federal court civil litigation highlighted by a recent Third Circuit decision. Read more

21 Sep 2021

USPTO sanctions another attorney for signing off trademark applications from China without proper checks

The OED has published a new order regarding a US licensed attorney who admitted to performing ‘inadequate’ reviews of trademark filings as part of a business relationship with a foreign firm. Read more

16 Sep 2021

All eyes on SCOTUS: dispelling confusion on initial interest confusion

A longstanding circuit split could be resolved if the US Supreme Court accepts certiorari in a case that hinges on the initial interest confusion doctrine. Read more

Trending

1

From Singapore to Washington DC: INTA announces 2022 Annual Meeting plans

2

Cleveland Guardians settlement; Nike postpones Travis Scott collaboration; sugary plain packaging called for – news digest

3

Unilever sells tea brands for $5 billion; Zeeger Vink elected 2022 INTA president; OBS Project and Streamlabs dispute – news digest

4

‘Banksy of trademarks’ retires: after numerous high-profile disputes, vows no more filings

5

Designs – protecting fashion in the United States with IP rights