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As the 2020 US presidential race kicks off, few candidates are seeking trademark protection

Research from WTR finds that few candidates for the 2020 US presidential election are seeking registered trademark protection for their campaign branding so far – although some are already being targeted by infringement.

22 Mar 2019

Honeywell drops ‘.brand’, Canada joins Madrid, and IACC cracks down on iOffer: news digest

In our latest news digest, we look at Disney powering up its brand with its 21st Century Fox acquisition, Chinese supermarkets removing fake Starbucks items from shelves, a football club losing a trademark fight, and much more.

22 Mar 2019

How Mastercard is adapting to the digital era and going sonic – exclusive interview

Even widely known and well-established companies must continuously adapt their brand strategies to suit the changing technological and commercial environment. This is a key concern at Mastercard, whose head of intellectual property Colm Dobbyn and senior IP counsel Francesca Silverman spoke to WTR this week.

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21 Mar 2019

From K-pop to Presley: inside the trademark portfolios of the music industry’s biggest names

When it comes to trademarks, some musicians are clearly a step ahead. For others, the need to consider protection provides a potential new client base for practitioners. We delve into the portfolios and filing trends of both global and local recording artists. Read more

21 Mar 2019

European Union to accede to Geneva Act; Brexit uncertainty means United Kingdom poised to become GI battleground

The European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee has endorsed the European Union acceding to the Geneva Act – a move that could propel the issue of geographical indications back to the top of the trade deal agenda as the United Kingdom looks to its post-Brexit future. Read more

19 Mar 2019

INTA backs proposed USPTO rule change as details of attorney identity thefts emerge

INTA has come out in support of the USPTO’s proposed change to representation rules, as another US registered attorney warns over “many examples of identity theft in China” targeting practitioners. Read more

19 Mar 2019

Trademark owner’s fate sealed after finding of fraud on USPTO

The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has upheld a ruling that dismissed a trademark owner’s second infringement lawsuit after a finding that the mark at issue was no longer incontestable because of fraud on the USPTO. This decision could end the 20-year dispute between the two brands. Read more

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Anti-counterfeiting

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12 Feb 2019

Plain packaging passed in Singapore, cat photo trademarks, and US Senate IP subcommittee: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a new report showing 70% of Kenyans use counterfeit products, a new system developed to identify fake logos, the Spanish football league scoring a piracy win, and much more. Read more

7 Feb 2019

“The world is becoming an IP believer” – UK tops US Chamber of Commerce global trademark ranking

In a newly-released report, the US Chamber of Commerce has ranked the United States as having the best overall IP protection of 50 leading economies, with the United Kingdom topping the trademark ranking. Read more

1 Feb 2019

Super Bowl fakes crackdown, Burger King trolls McDonald’s trademark loss, and Monaco joins TMview: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at how Africa lacks anti-counterfeiting tools, how a growing proportion of companies are affected by infringement, Bulgaria bolstering its digital trademark offering, and much more. Read more

22 Jan 2019

Louis Vuitton enforcement lessons, ‘.amazon’ deadline set, and Ivanka Trump trademark storm: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the multi-trillion dollar toll of counterfeiting, a huge seizure of fakes in the United Kingdom, a Vietnamese restaurant’s 2013 trademark backlash rearing its head, and much more. Read more

Brand management

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8 Mar 2019

From the old to the new: inside Mondelēz’s evolving brand portfolio strategy

The snack giant has traditionally focused on existing famous brands; however, the healthy living trend now presents both challenges and opportunity. Read more

6 Mar 2019

Instagram influencers: research finds few seek trademark protection as fake sponsorships revealed as brand risk

As rights holders increasingly work with social media influencers, we take a look at whether these online celebrities are seeking trademark protection and the opportunities and risks for brands. Read more

5 Mar 2019

Absolute last chance to have your say on the state of the trademark industry

Trademark practitioners have one more day to participate in WTR’s annual Global Trademark Benchmarking Survey. With just hours left, do not miss out. Read more

1 Mar 2019

How branding could be a golden opportunity for mining companies

In an exclusive data analysis, we look at how mining companies have yet to appreciate the value of brand strength in an era of growing expectations around corporate social responsibility. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

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21 Mar 2019

European Union to accede to Geneva Act; Brexit uncertainty means United Kingdom poised to become GI battleground

11 Mar 2019

10 tips you should know about online brand protection and trademark management

We present practical takeaways and discussion points from two recent WTR events, including the need to audit registered domains, how to avoid wasting enforcement dollars, using infographics to teach trademark basics, and much more. Read more

7 Mar 2019

How to manage a Fortune 30 trademark portfolio with a lean team: Phillips 66 exclusive

Managing the trademark portfolio of a Fortune 30 company with a lean in-house team poses a distinctive set of challenges, as Craig Stone, senior IP counsel at oil and gas giant Phillips 66 Company, explains to WTR. Read more

1 Mar 2019

Vice YouTube takedown sparks outrage, Banksy wins IP case, and Macedonia mark update: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Mongols biker gang keeping their logo trademark, how online uses of the words ‘fake’ and ‘replica’ are rising significantly, and much more. Read more

Goverment/policy

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20 Feb 2019

“We all need to embrace change, whether we like it or not”: exclusive interview with INTA CEO

WTR speaks with Etienne Sanz de Acedo about how INTA is evolving, as well as the need for trademark practitioners to embrace the new. Read more

25 Jan 2019

As latest efforts to end shutdown fail, USPTO reveals when it will run out of money

To date, the USPTO has weathered the storm of the ongoing US government shutdown. Now, the registry has revealed how long it can do so. Read more

24 Jan 2019

Why the Supreme Court’s Brunetti review is about more than “ridding the USPTO of potty-mouth overview”

In this guest post, legal experts consider the immediate consequences that will result from the Supreme Court’s review of Iancu v Brunetti. Read more

4 Jan 2019

Trolls on the rise, Brexit disruption and China’s domination: data trends of 2018

Having just rung in the new year, it is the perfect time to look at the trends which have characterised the trademark landscape in 2018, and discuss what is to come in 2019. Read more

Law firms

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26 Feb 2019

Just one week left to have your say on the state of the trademark industry

Trademark practitioners are running out of time to participate in WTR’s annual Global Trademark Benchmarking Survey. Do not miss out on the opportunity to share your successes, challenges and concerns. Read more

26 Feb 2019

The data gap: what trademark practitioners want and how service providers are adapting

An exploration of what users feel is missing from data platforms and how these service providers are evolving their tools to capitalise on Big Data. Read more

21 Feb 2019

Trademark opportunities and threats: have your say on the state of the industry

Our annual research is designed to give counsel – both in-house and in private practice – the opportunity to share their successes, challenges and concerns from the past 12 months. Read more

13 Feb 2019

Not long left to let us know the challenges affecting your trademark practice

For the 11th year in a row, trademark practitioners are invited to participate in our annual Global Trademark Benchmarking Survey to let us know how practice is evolving to counter new threats and embrace new opportunities. Read more

IP offices

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14 Mar 2019

LegalForce founder takes aim at USPTO as attorneys come out in support of proposed change to representation rules

While most public comments on the USPTO’s proposed change to representation rules are in support, there is one significant dissenting voice in LegalForce founder Raj Abhyanker. Read more

27 Feb 2019

IP offices going above and beyond

In exclusive research, WTR looks at the innovative non-core tools and services being offered by national IP registries around the world. Read more

24 Feb 2019

Urgent call for USPTO to secure filing system after warning sent to attorneys over solicitation email

The USPTO has issued an alert over numerous reports from recipients of solicitation emails. However, one legal expert calls on the office to add security to its filing system or run the risk of fraudulent activity. Read more

21 Feb 2019

“We refer to this case as a hydra”: inside Harvard’s battle to protect its brand in Turkey

Last month a Turkish court ruled in favour of Harvard University in a case centred on the unauthorised licensing of the Harvard name. The legal team behind the case speak to WTR and offer takeaways for trademark professionals. Read more

Online

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1 Mar 2019

Amazon turns to tech in fight against fakes; offers “self-service” takedown tool for brands

Amazon has unveiled Project Zero, which the company claims “combines Amazon’s advanced technology, machine learning, and innovation with the sophisticated knowledge that brands have of their own intellectual property". Read more

19 Feb 2019

Brands warned over reputational risks on rapidly growing social network MeWe

Research from WTR reveals that multiple major brands are being impersonated on new social network platform MeWe. For that reason, the website should be on the radars of all rights holders. Read more

29 Jan 2019

The Gleissner Files 2019: brand owners warned as IP office reveals staggering number of trademark applications

A major investigation by WTR can reveal that entrepreneur and serial trademark filer Michael Gleissner has stepped up his IP activity in recent months, with over 100 applications filed so far this year. Read more

18 Jan 2019

Restricting keyword advertising can be anti-competitive, holds the FTC

In a case concerning 1-800-Contacts’ approach to curbing competitors’ use of “1-800-Contacts” as an online search keyword, the US Federal Trade Commission has weighed in for the first time on whether restricting the use of trademark keywords is anti-competitive. Read more

Portfolio management

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8 Mar 2019

From the old to the new: inside Mondelēz’s evolving brand portfolio strategy

The snack giant has traditionally focused on existing famous brands; however, the healthy living trend now presents both challenges and opportunity. Read more

1 Mar 2019

How branding could be a golden opportunity for mining companies

In an exclusive data analysis, we look at how mining companies have yet to appreciate the value of brand strength in an era of growing expectations around corporate social responsibility. Read more

26 Feb 2019

Just one week left to have your say on the state of the trademark industry

22 Feb 2019

Time to place your bets? Casino gaming companies dominate EU and US trademark registers

Online gaming has driven significant growth in the gambling industry and key players are capitalising on intellectual property to protect their innovations. Read more

Trademark law

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7 Mar 2019

How to manage a Fortune 30 trademark portfolio with a lean team: Phillips 66 exclusive

19 Feb 2019

Inside the USPTO’s proposal to require the use of US-licensed attorneys in trademark matters

We take a deep dive into the USPTO's proposal to require foreign-domiciled trademark applicants, registrants and parties to TTAB proceedings to use an attorney who is licensed to practise law in the United States. Read more

14 Feb 2019

How Starbucks is protecting its brand in China – exclusive interview

Batur Oktay, who leads Starbucks’ IP committee, explains how the company is working with Chinese authorities to tackle counterfeiting and provides insights into its changing prosecution strategy. Read more

11 Feb 2019

The evolution of Airbnb’s trademark strategy, and what it means for law firm collaborations

Alica Del Valle, lead counsel for IP, marketing, PR and content at Airbnb, expands on the Silicon Valley company’s fast-changing trademark strategy, what it demands from law firm partners and the creation and protection of its Chinese brand, Aibiying. Read more

latest

From K-pop to Presley: inside the trademark portfolios of the music industry’s biggest names

European Union to accede to Geneva Act; Brexit uncertainty means United Kingdom poised to become GI battleground

INTA backs proposed USPTO rule change as details of attorney identity thefts emerge

Trademark owner’s fate sealed after finding of fraud on USPTO

Twitter

25 Mar 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @WebTMS: Presidential #election campaigning is under way as candidates kick off their runs for the #WhiteHouse, but how many are protec… Read more

25 Mar 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @FarsightSecInc: From K-pop to Presley: inside the trademark portfolios of the music industry’s biggest names <-"The “King of Rock and R… Read more

25 Mar 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @TheTMNinja: How Mastercard is adapting to the digital era and going sonic – exclusive interview - World Trademark Review https://t.co… Read more

25 Mar 2019

@WTRmagazine RT @Brand_Babe: Louis Vuitton victory, Apple Pencil confusion, and brand loyalty declining: news digest - World Trademark Review https://t.… Read more