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Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis

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.

Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis
“I will never give up” – Filipino small business owner on legal battle with Duke and Duchess of Sussex
3 Mar 2021

“I will never give up” – Filipino small business owner on legal battle with Duke and Duchess of Sussex

In an exclusive interview, a small business owner in Manilla, Philippines, who is embroiled in a trademark dispute with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has described it as a “duel to the death”.

Positive intention for UK address for service rule changes, but data shows muted impact
19 Feb 2021

Positive intention for UK address for service rule changes, but data shows muted impact

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.

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Today

UK High Court upholds UKIPO decision to prevent registration of GEEKSTORE based on unregistered GEEKCORE

The UK High Court has dismissed an appeal of the UKIPO’s decision to prevent the registration of the figurative mark GEEKSTORE due to an earlier unregistered right in the word mark GEEKCORE, as its role on appeal is purely to examine whether the UKIPO hearing officer has erred in their assessment of the law. Read more

17 Feb 2021

Corsearch acquires Entura, strengthening business’ anti-piracy arm

Entura will join Corsearch’s operations and expand the company’s offerings for fighting copyright infringement through online takedown capability. Read more

17 Feb 2021

The UK’s last Community design case: RCDs, UCDs and guidance on the role of expert evidence

This decision of the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in a dispute involving ballerina shoes highlights that experts are not, and cannot speak from the perspective of, informed users. Read more

15 Feb 2021

International registrations, Brexit and trademarks in the Crown dependencies and Gibraltar

In a guest piece, Julius Stobbs, founder of Stobbs, details the current requirements for potential trademark registrants in these unique jurisdictions. Read more

Anti-Counterfeiting

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22 Jan 2021

iaidō launch adds new player to the IP legal services provider market

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

15 Dec 2020

Trump weighs in on rebrand; Reddit acquires Dubsmash; USPTO director talks designs – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the IPR Center recognising Alibaba’s IP efforts, a battle for the Arcadia and Debenhams brands, brand enforcement lessons from a fake Dr Fauci, and much more. Read more

27 Oct 2020

Coca-Cola to discontinue 200 brands; hoax Woolworths causes stir; adidas mulls Reebok sale – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the boss of Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority departing following a fake number plate scandal, IP Australia launching a new quality approach, and much more. Read more

18 Sep 2020

Thomas Cook brand relaunched; ‘rip off’ Teddy Fresh clash; Lady A legal fight continues – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at industry groups teaming up to fight pirates, a call for fake pharmaceutical stories, IP Australia announcing a new indigenous knowledge initiative, and much more. Read more

Brand management

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2 Feb 2021

Asos buys Topshop and Miss Selfridge brands; Covishield injunction rejected; ICANN new breach notice – news digest

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

25 Jan 2021

A close look at the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit GI regime

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

21 Jan 2021

How to manage the brand risk of social media’s ‘cancel culture’

An online spat between authors highlights the brand risk associated with social media influencers and cancel culture, one brand expert says. Read more

14 Jan 2021

Renault disappears and Aston Martin returns: brand lessons from two teams in the 2021 F1 season

As Renault F1 and Racing Point rebrand to Alpine F1 and Aston Martin respectively, WTR asks brand experts whether these are savvy moves or will cause consumer confusion. Read more

Enforcement and Litigation

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1 Feb 2021

IPEC considers post-sale confusion and passing off in fashion industry

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

28 Jan 2021

New UK customs notification procedure following Brexit departure from EU system

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

21 Jan 2021

A not so EASY task after all: easyGroup’s EASY mark found to be devoid of distinctive character

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

6 Jan 2021

Bentley Motors’ appeal fails to find traction

The Court of Appeal of England and Wales has confirmed that luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors previously infringed three trademarks owned by family-run fashion company Bentley Clothing. Read more

Government/Policy

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3 Feb 2021

Covid-19 and post-Brexit Britain – Sandris Laganovskis on challenges of new EUIPO role

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

4 Jan 2021

Brexit: the long and winding road is not over yet

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

10 Dec 2020

Six key practice points for UK practitioners post-Brexit

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

24 Nov 2020

Michael Gleissner: massive scope of trademark and domain portfolio revealed in exclusive data

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

Law Firms

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22 Dec 2020

Trademarks during the year of covid: exclusive insights from law firm experts in England and Israel

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

19 Nov 2020

“Redressing the imbalance”: UKIPO to require UK address for service from 2021

The UKIPO has confirmed that IP owners will be required to supply a UK address for legal services related to new UK trademark applications, hearings and contentious proceedings from 1 January 2021. Read more

4 Sep 2020

Queen Elizabeth II prevails in trademark dispute; Big Mac versus Big Jack; Kraft Heinz licensing – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a warning to act on counterfeit goods before it’s too late, Lord & Taylor filing for bankruptcy, IP Australia updating its trademark classifications, and much more. Read more

28 Aug 2020

Economies are battered but many major offices set for record trademark numbers

As the data continues to be updated, we are able to get a better understanding of the extent of the coronavirus’ impact on the trademark ecosystem. Read more

IP Offices

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4 Jan 2021

The secret lives of trademark examiners: insights into five IP offices

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

4 Dec 2020

As Brexit dawns, UK trademark register is set to transform on New Year’s Day

The long-awaited cloning of EU trademarks is right around the corner. But how will the make-up of the register change after the addition of 1.5 million records? According to data analysis, new top brand owners and legal representatives are just the start. Read more

14 Aug 2020

Ben & Jerry’s gets political; Brazil to decide on iPhone mark; another Amazon anti-counterfeiting measure – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property looking to regulate its IP industry, Instagram’s new Reels brand facing a trademark lawsuit, and much more. Read more

28 Jul 2020

Brexit: UKIPO launches consultation to protect UK attorneys in change to address rules

The UK Intellectual Property Office has launched a public consultation with regard to a proposed change to its address for service rules, to be implemented once the Brexit transition period ends. Read more

Online

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10 Nov 2020

The one-woman legal team behind the greenest racers on the grid: interview with Envision Virgin Racing’s general counsel

Jennifer Babington sat down with WTR to describe how her team manages to punch along with the big guns in motorsport’s greenest challenge. Read more

24 Aug 2020

Manchester United v Sega: application to amend particulars to include new Article 10 claim rejected

While this decision of the High Court concerned an application to amend pleadings, the issues raised suggest that the case is likely to consider several points of interest concerning the application of trademark law to the digital economy, and in particular e-gaming. Read more

21 Aug 2020

Gymshark: a brand that ticks all the boxes (including trademark strategy)

The UK fitness company has solidified its market presence among the greats with a winning social media strategy, deep commitment to consumers and a forward-thinking approach to trademark protection. Read more

10 Jul 2020

Amazon to list seller names and addresses; Google launches trademark initiative; UK Intellectual Property Office Brexit preparations – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Kazakhstan turning to technology to combat counterfeits, Rangers football club refreshing its brand, a Lady A lawsuit, and much more. Read more

Portfolio Management

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24 Dec 2020

China hogs the enforcement limelight for Peppa Pig owner Entertainment One

Entertainment One’s senior director of brand protection, Niall Trainor, reflects on a year dominated by a major acquisition and reveals the key factors that led to his side winning WTR’s Sports, Entertainment and Media Team of the Year Award. Read more

7 Dec 2020

Baiting and switching or not, as the case may be

This ‘bait and switch’ case highlights the need for parties to agree terms and put them in writing at the outset of a relationship, and also addresses the complexities of keyword advertising. Read more

1 Dec 2020

Appeal ends on a high note for X Factor's James Arthur

This decision of the appointed person, on appeal from a decision of the UKIPO, highlights that trademark owners should ensure that they have made a real effort to create or maintain a share in the relevant market. Read more

30 Oct 2020

Likelihood of indirect confusion DOME-inates opposition decisions

This decision highlights that a finding of a likelihood of indirect confusion may still arise between marks which are highly similar and contain the same word element, but cover arguably different goods and/or services. Read more

Trademark law

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17 Dec 2020

Bentley Clothing prevails against Bentley Motors but laments enforcement costs for small businesses

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

20 Jul 2020

Food and beverage industry the new brand restrictions battleground as calls for action escalate

The food industry is fast becoming the focus of brand restrictions, with new calls for action against unhealthy foods in the United Kingdom and concern over Mexico’s new labelling regime culminating in a missive from INTA last week. Read more

8 Jul 2020

Mirror image: using UK and US case law to protect publicity rights

The lack of a single, codified body of law to explicitly protect image or publicity rights on either side of the Atlantic means that high-profile individuals must draw from a variety of causes of action and legal tools to protect their interests. Read more

3 Jul 2020

Sky v SkyKick: permission to appeal keeps long-running trademark battle raging on

With the ramifications for partial bad-faith filings still on the table, SkyKick representatives say they are “hopeful” they will be victorious in the end. Read more

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Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis

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Asos buys Topshop and Miss Selfridge brands; Covishield injunction rejected; ICANN new breach notice – news digest

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A close look at the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit GI regime

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Tefal fails to secure trademark protection for its red dot despite survey evidence

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Coca-Cola to discontinue 200 brands; hoax Woolworths causes stir; adidas mulls Reebok sale – news digest

Find an expert

Michele Ferrante
Managing Partner
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Ferrante Intellectual Property
View full biography