In our latest round-up, we look at a groundbreaking report on IP in Mexico, INTA holding events marking International Women’s Day, Apollo acquiring craft retailer Michaels, and much more.
The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has held for the second time that the product configuration of the Pocky – a chocolate-dipped, stick-shaped cookie – was functional and thus not subject to trade dress protection. Read more
Venable has launched a new tech-driven naming service that quickly provides ‘already cleared’ naming options to marketers and brand development professionals. Read more
A week after WTR revealed a massive fraud and money laundering case in Pakistan involving the targeting of USPTO users, experts are calling for urgent action to identify those potentially impacted. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at ACG lobbying for increased UK consumers protection against counterfeits, Dr. Martens teaming up with the owner of Hello Kitty again, and much more. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at the Queens District Attorney’s Office seizing 1.7 million fake 3M masks, Mondelez launching CoLab, the EUIPO executive director meeting with the Portuguese IP office president, and much more. Read more
Hernan Albamonte, PMI's head of illicit trade prevention for the United States, explains how the company is tackling IP infringement and illicit trade in all of its guises. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at Nike taking a kick at counterfeit footwear manufacturers, USPTO reopening a comment period on state sovereign immunity, ICANN inviting leadership applications, and much more. Read more
In a star-studded launch event, Brand Finance held a virtual conference with speakers including Hilary Rodham Clinton, Carl Bildt and David Miliband. Read more
Coca-Cola has become the latest company to publicly detail the diversity, inclusion and belonging commitments that it expects of law firms in its external network. Read more
In a longstanding dispute between by RXD Media LLC and Apple Inc over rights to use theIPAD mark, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has considered how the success of a mark’s intervening junior user - here, Apple - can affect a senior user. Read more
A new paper argues Duke University is the biggest trademark bully of all US universities and argues the immorality of an educational establishment taking such a strategy. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at PepsiCo deciding on the Aunt Jemima rebrand, Washington Football Team selecting its rebrand agency partner, a USPTO public roundtable being announced, 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
Late last year the US Congress signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 into law. This act incorporates the Trademark Modernisation Act 2020, which includes many notable revisions to the Lanham Act. Read more
US trademark applicants appear to be victims of what has been described as “the biggest money laundering case in the history of Pakistan”, involving low-cost trademark filing platforms that allegedly sent fake USPTO certificates to clients. Read more
New evidence suggests that other low-cost trademark platforms could be linked to an allegedly fraudulent organisation, which in total have filed thousands of trademark applications at the USPTO over the past 12 months. Read more
In an exclusive interview with WTR, the owner of the PROUD BOYS US trademark registration (and former member of the far-right organisation) reveals why he has surrendered the mark. Read more
Submissions to a recently closed USPTO public comment window have hit out at the office’s requirement of applicant domicile details and attorney bar numbers. Read more
DE&I Global Chair, John Iino, and partner chair of PRISM, Alan York, provide insight into the firm’s approach to diversity, equity & inclusion policies. Read more
Members of some of the firms detail why they believe their approaches to diversity and inclusion earned them the ranking in HRC's annual Corporate Equality Index. Read more
Concern has been voiced about the activity of low-cost trademark filing agency Trademark Terminal, as well as similar entities including Trademark Axis, Trademark Falcon, Trademark Funnel and Trademark Regal. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at Huawei in early-stage talks to sell its premium smartphone brands, the IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) experiencing its first ever drop in IP demand, and much more. Read more
A major new study has revealed the “unprecedented” number of US trademark applications related to covid-19 filed between the onset of the pandemic and the end of 2020. Read more
With today’s inauguration ceremony in Washington DC marking the beginning of the Biden administration, WTR reached out to experts in the trademark field to ask what the president’s priorities should be over the next four years. Read more
Today officially marks the end of the presidency of Donald J Trump. After an unprecedented four years, WTR looks back at the brand-related positives and negatives of his time in office. Read more
USPTO publishes scathing report into the influx of trademark applications from China, claiming that many “lack value and clutter the trademark register”. Read more
In our latest round-up, we look at Unilever offloading the Bertolli business, thousands of counterfeit designer masks seized in Kentucky, South Korea adopting a Vegan certification mark, and much more. Read more
A number of brand associations have highlighted the need for social media companies and online platforms to step up anti-counterfeiting messaging in efforts to educate US consumers. Read more
A new academic paper has called on the US Congress to pass legislation that will deny trademark registration for specific categories of vulgar, profane and obscene language and imagery. Read more
In this dispute between rival operators of combination gas stations/convenience stores, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has addressed the assessment and application of the DuPont ‘likelihood of confusion’ factors. Read more
In a case involving a Dr Seuss and Star Trek mash-up, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit considered claims of both copyright and trademark infringement. Read more
A new research paper claims that the use of the term ‘consumer’ in trademark law is causing linguistic bias that could be defining the public in a “patronizing, biased, insulting and indulgent” manner, and urges a rethink. Read more
GEN Law Firm partner Steve Zhao and associate Pei Lyu reveal the intricacies of the arguments that made them successful in the Shanghai court. Read more
Talking to WTR, the owner of the Proud Boys registered trademark (and former member of the group) reveals how the rights have been used to protect the organisation and stop unauthorised merchandise. 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