INTA files statement in intervention in EU case on the inherent distinctiveness of color combination trademarks
New York, New York—July 24, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has filed a Statement in Intervention with the European Union General Court in case T-38/24, OMV AG v. European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), relating to the registrability...
Bytedance stumbles in Singapore: IPOS rejects TIKI trademark challenge
The social media giant Bytedance, owner of the ubiquitous TikTok platform, recently suffered a setback in Singapore. In a decision issued by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) on June 14, 2024, Bytedance failed to block the trademark registration of...
Louis Vuitton and Pharrell Williams misstep in POCKET SOCKS infringement case
Louis Vuitton and Pharrell Williams may have misstepped - almost literally. The company and its men's creative director are accused of infringing the registered US trademark POCKET SOCKS in connection with (you guessed it) socks with pockets. The allegations in the...
TOUR DE FRANCE fails in the third stage against German fitness studio chain
At the end of June, the 111th edition of the Tour de France kicked off. June also saw the end of a dispute between Société du Tour de France (STF) and German fitness studio chain FitX Beteiligungs GmbH (FitX) over the well-known TOUR DE FRANCE trademarks (General...
Fakes off the field: combating counterfeits in football
Fandom is a massive part of any globally-followed sports tournament, and this year’s Euros was no exception. As an expected 650,000 international football fans descended on Germany, there was an obvious rush to grab their respective nations' kits and colors. However,...
What-A-Mess: Whataburger in trademark row
Every trademark attorney knows the Burger King v. Hoots case from 1968, in which the federal trademark registrant of BURGER KING - a Florida company - challenged the 'good faith junior user' which innocently adopted the same BURGER KING mark for identical services in...
Behind the scenes: Potter Clarkson’s IP Summer School
Our Editor-in-Chief, Faye Waterford, had the unique opportunity to attend Potter Clarkson’s residential IP Summer School, an exclusive event that took place on June 25-26 at the University of Nottingham. After a very warm welcome and humorous icebreaker conducted by...
Nike v. Adidas: not all stripes are the same
In a recent landmark decision, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf gave the green light for Nike to feature stripes on some of its sports trousers. The trademark dispute between the two sportswear giants, Nike and Adidas, began in 2022, when Adidas – which is...
INTA expresses concerns over amendments to Quebec’s Bill 96 language law
New York, New York—July 2, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) respects the provincial government of Quebec and their representation of the will of their people to further protect the erosion of the French language through amendments to the Regulation...
Vans v. FCB Garment Tex: balancing fame and fairness
The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of Vans Inc. v. FCB Garment Tex (FCB), recently issued a significant ruling restraining Vans from seeking rectification of FCB's IVANS trademarks, despite Vans’ recent recognition as a well-known trademark. The court clarified...
Clarivate launches IP Collaboration Hub
Enabling users to save time and reduce risks in the IP filing and prosecution process London, UK - June 24, 2024 - Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today launched the IP Collaboration Hub™ at the 2024 Clarivate...
McDonald’s loses BIG MAC for subsequent goods and services
The Irish fast food chain Supermac’s has won a David v. Goliath legal battle against McDonald’s in a case concerning the BIG MAC trademark. The General Court’s decision issued on June 5 means that the US-based fast food giant no longer holds the BIG MAC trademark for...
Finfluencers and the FCA: protecting brand intellectual property
While social media influencers are not a new concept, having emerged in the early 2000s with the advent of YouTube, their reach has soared to unprecedented levels over the past decade. ‘Influencers,’ people who establish an online presence through personal reviews and...
INTA argues NFTs and intangible goods are within Lanham Act’s scope
New York, New York — June 18, 2024 — The International Trademark Association (INTA) has filed an amicus brief with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Yuga Labs, Inc. v. Ryder Ripps, Jeremy Cahen, No. 24-879, a case considering whether non-fungible tokens...
More Copyright News
Burberry triumphs over Baneburry in trademark infringement case
Burberry has triumphed over Baneburry in a trademark infringement and unfair competition case after the Jiangsu Provincial High People’s Court ruled in its favor. Xinboli Trading Shanghai (Xinboli), trading as Baneburry, was ordered to cease use of the infringing...
Café fined for unauthorized use of STARBUCKS trademark
A Lahore-based café has been fined PKRs 6 million for the fraudulent and unauthorized use of the STARBUCKS trademark, by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). STARBUCKS, a well-known trademark and a globally recognized chain of coffeehouses registered in the...
Dubai Annual Meeting to move from 2026 to 2029
New York, New York—June 11, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has decided to reschedule the Annual Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), originally scheduled for 2026, to 2029. Choosing a host city for an event of the size and scope of the...
“Complaints and Grievances”: George Carlin and soundalike litigation in the era of generative AI
George Carlin was often prescient in his scathing social commentary and criticism of modern society. In his 2006 special, “Life is Worth Losing,” he said: “I’ve been uplinked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know...
Delhi High Court holds VIGOURA too similar to Pfizer’s VIAGRA trademark
In the bustling world of pharmaceuticals, where brand names hold immense value, a fierce legal battle unfolded between Pfizer Products Inc. and Renovision Exports Private Limited (Renovision). The dispute centered on Pfizer's well-known trademark, VIAGRA. Plaintiff...
INTA files amicus brief endorsing changes to the EUIPO’s conversion practice
New York, New York—June 4, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has filed an amicus brief (Third Party Observations) with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) enlarged Board of Appeal (Grand Board) in relation to the Referral by the...
AI and the Reddit goldmine: protecting user-generated content
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve and enmesh into more aspects of our lives, so do the legal complexities surrounding its development and use. One critical area of concern is the use of content from social media platforms by AI companies. With social...
Playing with Fire (Sticks): illegally reproducing and streaming TV media
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is ubiquitous to most, the everyday consumer of television media in the modern age. Whether it is streaming Planet Earth III on BBC iPlayer, the Premier League from Sky Sports, or the notorious Baby Reindeer on Netflix, there’s...
Iconix v. Dream Pairs: logo on football boots ‘confusingly similar’ to Umbro logo
The likelihood of confusion is fundamental to UK trademark law and the laws of many other countries worldwide. Usually, we're comparing marks as they appear on the register, and forming opinions on whether two marks are likely to be confused with one another is second...
Bhidu battle: Jackie Shroff takes on trademark infringement in court
In what promises to be the legal spectacle of the year, Bollywood luminary Jackie Shroff is gearing up for a fierce battle against trademark violations in his latest legal undertaking. Shroff, the iconic figure of Bollywood known for his inimitable style and...
Tencent demonstrates longstanding dedication to protecting and enhancing the value of IP at INTA’s 2024 Annual Meeting
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – May 22, 2024 – At this week’s International Trademark Association (INTA) 2024 Annual Meeting, INTA partner and Meeting sponsor Tencent joined thousands of attendees in celebrating the essential role of IP in creativity, commerce, and innovation. The...
New Clarivate report indicates solid growth in 2024 global trademark filing activity
Analyzing six of the key trademark registers from around the world London, UK, May 21, 2024: Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today released the Trademark Filing and Litigation Trends 2024 Report, analyzing six of...
INTA will bring global IP community to San Diego, California in 2025
New York, New York—May 20, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) announced today that it will hold its 147th Annual Meeting, the world’s premier event for brand owners and professionals, in San Diego, California, USA, from May 17 to 21, 2025. INTA CEO...
Number of active global trademarks to surpass the 100 million mark in just three years, finds Corsearch
Corsearch forecasts that over 100 million registered trademarks will be active and in force in 2026, more than doubling over the course of a decade. In response to this growing challenge for IP professionals, Corsearch relaunches the TrademarkNow platform with...
Clarivate launches AI-enhanced solution to accelerate trademark watching
Providing faster and more accurate answers to critical business questions Clarivate Plc, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, launched the first publicly available version of Trademark Watch Analyzer today at the 2024 International Trademark...
Tesla v. Tesla Power India: Tesla files lawsuit in Delhi High Court
The world of trademarks is a crucial battleground for businesses, especially in a globalized market. Strong trademarks help consumers identify the source and quality of products and services. For electric vehicle giant Tesla Inc. (Tesla), its brand name ‘Tesla’ is a...
Neuroscience nugget for Mental Health Awareness Week: moving with awareness
We all know that being active is important for our physical and mental health. However, I am going to look beyond the obvious benefits of being active and take a deeper dive into the field of neuroscience, which demonstrates the interconnectedness of our mind and body...
“X” in a million-dollar copyright dispute: a recent win but a long way to go
Last summer, several publishers, including Universal Music Corp., Sony Music Publishing, all members of the trade group the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), filed a lawsuit against X Corp., seeking $250 million in damages for alleged copyright...
David Chang’s Chili Crunch and the perils of policing trademarks
Celebrity chef David Chang learned the hard way that “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Chang, founder of Momofuku and maker of CHILI CRUNCH sent cease and desist letters to other producers using the term “chili crunch” on their labels in early April....
INTA files intervention on interpretation of “article” under India’s Designs Act, 2000
Delhi, India—May 7, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has filed an intervention before the Delhi High Court, India, in the appeal (FAO (OS) (Comm) No. 241 of 2023) against the order dated August 16, 2023, in Hero MotoCorp Limited v. M/S Shree Amba...
16th edition of Global IP Convention, Istanbul: India’s flagship event is now in Turkey
The Global Intellectual Property Conference (GIPC) is where brilliance meets influence. This isn't your average gathering; it's a convergence of thought leaders, industry titans, innovators, legal experts, and executives from Fortune 500 companies. Step into the...
Rising sustainability awareness drives interest in green EU trademark applications
The share of green European Union Trademarks (EUTMs) continues to rise among a growing interest in sustainability according to a study published by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The analysis reveals that in 2022, 14.5% of all applications,...
The Ravensburger case: who owns the past?
The legal battle continues between the Italian museum Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice and the German toy manufacturer Ravensburger. Ravensburger still refuses to pay for the right to reproduce one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous drawings – the Vitruvian Man – on...
We sold our soul for rock ‘n’ roll: KISS sell their catalog
Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Sting, David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, and now KISS. What do they all have in common? They have all sold their music catalogs in the past 10 years. Jackson and Springsteen reaped the biggest rewards at over $500M each. Catalog...
EUIPO’s IP Case Law Conference: an inside look
We were delighted to attend the EUIPO’s 5th IP Case Law Conference held in Alicante on the 29-30 of April 2024 – special thanks to EUIPO for the invitation and exceptional hospitality throughout the conference. Following a warm welcome from Master of Ceremony Thomas...
Celebrating World IP Day: thoughts from our Editorial Board
As World Intellectual Property Day approaches on 26 April, we asked our Editorial Board their thoughts on this year's focus: 'IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity.' Established by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable...
AI companies and music rights holders: a conflict in copyright
Unlicensed artificial intelligence (AI) music generation has been highlighted in the news recently: the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), whose members consist of record companies, has publicly stated its intention to commence proceedings against Jammable -...
USPTO issues guidance on use of AI tools by patent and trademark practitioners
The USPTO recognizes that practitioners are increasingly using AI tools to prepare and prosecute patent and trademark applications. Therefore, to “cabin the risks” arising from the use of AI, on April 11, 2024, the USPTO issued guidance on the use of AI tools....
Implications of Chanel v. WGACA for luxury resale market
For over 114 years, the Chanel fashion house has produced immediately recognizable high-fashion apparel and accessories synonymous with elegance and luxury for the international market. With prices for some of its handbags regularly exceeding the USD 5,000-10,000...
Aldi finds itself in the cold over frozen cheesecake
The UK-based company, Pleese, has accused Aldi of copying its product and infringing on its intellectual property (IP) rights. The product at the center of the claim is 'Freezecakes' which is a scoopable frozen cheesecake in a tub made from 40% cream cheese with...
New CITMA President elected
Kelly Saliger has been elected as President of The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) and will make education one of her top priorities. Saliger, who is a dual-qualified Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and Solicitor, began her two-year term in the role...
Tencent publishes 2023 Weixin Brand Protection Platform (BPP) Report
The Weixin Brand Protection Platform Report outlines enhancements and recent actions to strengthen its BPP Program, helping further protect intellectual property rights on Weixin. SHENZHEN, April 17, 2024 – Tencent today released its 2023 Weixin Brand Protection...
From fairways to copyright claims: understanding the BIRDIE Act
At least one piece of legislation before Congress has bipartisan support: the BIRDIE Act. The BIRDIE Act has nothing to do with birds and everything to do with golf. While BIRDIE stands for Bolstering Intellectual Rights against Digital Infringement Enhancement, the...
Delhi High Court cancels trademark registration of DOLMA AUNTY MOMOS
In a recent landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has canceled the registration of the trademark DOLMA AUNTY MOMOS, previously held by Mohd. Akram Khan, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, India. The ruling came after Dolma Tsering, the owner of the renowned 'Dolma Aunty...
First referral of questions by the Executive Director to the ‘Grand Board’ of Appeal
The Executive Director of the EUIPO has sought clarification from the enlarged Board of Appeal on legal interpretations of the EU Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR). This is the first time Article 157(4)(l) of the EUTMR, which states that the Executive Director may refer...
Nike v. BAPE: a clash of the Titans in sneaker trade dress
The iconic sneaker brand Nike is locked in a legal battle with Japanese streetwear giant A Bathing Ape (BAPE) over allegations of trademark and trade dress infringement. This lawsuit, filed in January 2023, centers on BAPE's footwear designs, which Nike claims mimic...
The Supreme Court rules Amazon did target UK customers with non-UK websites
The background The BEVERLY HILLS POLO CLUB brand is sold in the UK and EU under license by Lifestyle Equities. An entirely unrelated company is authorized to sell the brand in the US. The US brand legitimately sold the US goods to US customers via Amazon.com, however,...
Penn State v. Vintage Brand: “throwback” clothing company uses Penn State’s trademarks
In an apparent blatant act of trademark infringement, a clothing company has used Pennsylvania State University's registered trademarks in the commercial sale of various merchandise. An upcoming trial will hinge on an 'ornamental use' defense: that is whether a...
Rolex v. AGSA: are customization activities of branded watches a world of wonders?
A dispute arose between Rolex SA and Artisans de Genève SA (AGSA), which specializes in customizing Rolex watches for its clientele. In 2023, the Civil Chamber of the Court of Justice of the Canton of Geneva ordered AGSA to cease these services and the use of the...
M&S v. Aldi: a ‘refreshing’ reminder of the benefits of design protection
Marks and Spencer Plc (M&S) brought an infringement action against Aldi Stores Limited (Aldi) based on its UK-registered designs for gin bottles containing gold flakes and an integrated light. M&S launched its product in Autumn 2020, with Aldi launching its...
Guangzhou court finds that generative AI infringes copyright
It has been a big month for generative AI-related copyright litigation, culminating in news that authors have issued class action litigation against Nvidia, on the basis that Nvidia’s NeMo platform was trained on a dataset that included copyright works. Further...
Back-and-forth with USPTO stymies OpenAI’s bid to register CHATGPT
You may be surprised to learn that ChatGPT—the name for OpenAI’s ubiquitous AI-powered chatbot—is not registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Not yet, at least. Since December 2022, OpenAI has been involved in a back-and-forth with the...
Hogar Controls gets relief from Delhi High Court on trademark matter
Hon’ble Delhi High Court has given a relief order in favor of Vishnu Reddy Hyderabad, 7 March 2024 – Hogar Controls, a leading global IoT company renowned for its design-centric approach and robust smart home solutions, has got an injunction order in the trademark...
UK Government abandons plans for voluntary code of conduct for AI
It is terrifying to think, considering how pervasive it now seems to be, that artificial intelligence (AI) exploded into the public consciousness only a couple of years ago. Less surprising are the copyright concerns and questions that swiftly followed. The recent UK...
‘Choose Safe, not Fake’ campaign targets counterfeit beauty and hygiene products
The new IPO campaign highlights the serious health risks these goods pose, empowering consumers to make informed choices The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has today launched its latest targeted awareness campaign, designed to help tackle consumer demand for...
Rolex wins injunction but no damages against BeckerTime due to laches
In January 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the US District Court ND Texas’ decision that BeckerTime infringed Rolex’s trademarks but refused to disgorge BeckerTime of its profits after finding that a laches defense applied. The District...
Threads Software v. Meta: trademark dispute sends small business into a spin
A recent dispute between UK software company Threads Software Ltd. and Meta over its social media platform, Threads, has highlighted the inequality small businesses face when protecting their trademarks. In October 2023, Threads Software wrote to the owners of Meta...
Dr Bernice A King to deliver keynote address at INTA’s 2024 Annual Meeting
New York, New York—February 27, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) is proud to announce Dr Bernice A King as the keynote speaker for its 146th Annual Meeting, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, May 18-22, 2024. Close to 6,000 people have already...
Tesla’s road rage with chicken shop owner
In a recent case, the car giant Tesla Inc. successfully invalidated the mark TESLA CHICKEN & PIZZA. The registration, in the name of Amanj Ali, was registered on 11 August 2020 for food and drink services in Class 43. Ali initially opposed Tesla’s application for...
Thatchers v. Aldi: whose “cider” you on?
Would you confuse the below cider drinks? This was considered in a recent claim brought by Thatchers regarding its Thatchers Cloudy Lemon Cider against Aldi regarding its Tauras Cloudy Cider Lemon in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. As explained below, Aldi...
INTA to host virtual legal clinic focused on entreprenuHERship
On Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11 AM EST, the International Trademark Association (INTA) is celebrating International Women’s Day by hosting a virtual legal clinic focused on entreprenuHERship. This online program is a single-day event, designed like a walk-in legal...
Kat von D in copyright clash over a Miles Davis tattoo
A Los Angeles jury has sided with tattoo artist Kat von D (Drachenberg) in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by photographer Jeffrey Sedlik. The high-profile case centered around an image that the reality TV star inked onto a friend’s arm, based heavily on...
UK Government prevails in trademark dispute against Windrush Foundation
The Windrush Foundation (the ‘Applicant’), a charity that delivers projects to highlight African and Caribbean peoples’ contributions to the UK, recently filed trademark applications for WINDRUSH MONUMENT, WINDRUSH MEMORIAL, WINDRUSH75, WINDRUSH, and WINDRUSH DAY. The...
Mickey Mouse and the case of overlapping IP
The January 1, 2024 expiration of the 'Steamboat Willie' copyright registration has received a significant amount of attention both in the media and in the legal community. Unfortunately, this attention has often been imprecise and exaggerated, which may lead to a...
Audi defends its emblem against Polish seller
January provided us with crucial guidelines regarding the referential use of trademarks. Following the Inditex case (C-361/22) the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its long-awaited judgment in the Audi case (C-334/22) responding to the...
International Trademark Association premiers IP Judiciary of the Future Think Tank Video Series
New York, New York—January 31, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has released the IP Judiciary of the Future Think Tank Video Series. The series features a select panel of judges from jurisdictions around the world. Their wide-ranging conversations,...
KFC v. HFC: the secret herbs and spices in abbreviation trademarks
Can a fast-food business register the trademark HFC for their fried chicken product without infringing on the famous KFC mark? In a win for Grill’d, the Australian Trade Marks Office has said yes, they can. Grill’d is an Australian burger chain that markets itself as...
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up for their IP rights?
On December 15, 2023, Grammy Award-winning rapper Eminem filed a protective order opposing a request by 'Real Housewives of Potomac' stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon to be deposed. This is only the latest development in a dispute that has spanned almost a year....
International Trademark Association releases report on intellectual property reporting for brands
New York, New York—January 25, 2024—Addressing long-standing concerns around how intellectual property (IP) is valued and how that value is communicated, both internally within companies and externally beyond the company, the International Trademark Association (INTA)...
Delhi High Court stops trademark infringement of PUMA
The Delhi High Court has recently passed an exhaustive judgment on trademark infringement by an e-commerce platform. The suit was filed by the well-known brand PUMA against an online marketplace, Indiamart. PUMA alleged that Indiamart was facilitating the sale of...
The Cambridge name battle: David v. Goliath
Cambridge, known worldwide for its revered 800-year-old institution, the University of Cambridge, has recently been at the center of legal battles and disputes over the use of its name. The University of Cambridge is flexing its legal muscles to safeguard its...
Superdry and Manchester City clash in trademark infringement action
The owner of the Superdry clothing and retail brand has recently launched a trademark infringement action against Manchester City FC, specifically, for the use of the term ‘Super “DRY”’ on its training kit, as part of its Asahi sponsorship deal. The name of Asahi’s...
Nike v. Skiman: daffy ‘confusingly similar’ to Jordan Jumpman logo
The Jordan Jumpman logo is undoubtedly iconic, representing not just Michael Jordan but also a legacy of excellence in athletics. Nike is known for fiercely protecting its intellectual property, especially iconic logos like the Jumpman. Skiman LLC, a Colorado-based...
Polish e-commerce market leader will not register the mark SMART!
Does the word “smart” only mean “intelligent”? What is the significance of an exclamation mark as part of a trademark applied for? Can earlier European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) decisions be successfully invoked? These are questions that were raised...
Google v. MakeMyTrip: does use of a trademark as a keyword constitute infringement?
Google operates a search engine called Google Search Engine and runs an advertising program called Google Ads Program. This program displays sponsored links and advertisements, known as 'Google Ads,' on the search engine result page (SERP). MakeMyTrip (India) (P) Ltd....
EVERYBODY VS. RACISM is a sentiment and does not function as a trademark
In November 2023, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ("Federal Circuit") affirmed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s ("Board") decision to refuse registration of the mark EVERYONE VS. RACISM on the grounds of failure to function as a trademark. The...
Lights out for Lewis Hamilton in dispute with Swiss watchmaker
In this line of work, it’s vital that we do not conflate our personal perception with that of the ‘average consumer’ — a legal concept that serves as a reference point for assessing trademark disputes. For me, there is no better reminder of this than a recent EUIPO...
Philadelphia Eagles looking to corner the football market on Kelly Green
The National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles recently submitted an application to register the term "Kelly Green". Kelly Green is the name of the shade of green the team wore for decades until 1995 when it changed to its current “Midnight Green” uniforms. The...
Sweet reassurance: assessing the distinctiveness of 2D and 3D marks in light of the HARIBO Goldbear case
Article 7(1)(b) of the EU Trademark Regulation plays a pivotal role in the registration process, emphasizing the uniqueness required for a mark to be eligible for protection. It is well established that the distinctive character of a mark must be first assessed by...
Dog groomers take their copyright clash to the High Court
“Wash, Wiggle and Wag” is sadly not the latest TikTok craze. Instead, it’s the name at the center of a dispute between two dog groomers in the West Midlands. Much like the infamous “Wagachristie” case, there’s an accompanying social media “smear” campaign between the...
CIPO’s express trademark voyage: accelerating Canada’s application route
Recent developments within the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) have stirred considerable interest in Canada's trademark application procedures, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024. Canada has long grappled with a reputation for possessing the...
Vans and Walmart reach settlement over lookalike shoes
After nearly two years, Vans and Walmart have settled their long-running dispute. This settlement marks the end of a hefty dispute that was filed on 15 November 2021 by Vans against Walmart, Inc., The Doll Maker, LLC, and Trendy Trading, LLC ("the Complaint"). Vans...
Is modernization finally on the cards for The Bahamas’ antiquated IP legislation?
In a statement to the media on 30 November 2023, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs L. Ryan Pinder, KC announced that the "entire intellectual property framework" of The Bahamas would be reformed, starting with legislative reform. The Attorney-General...
Navigating the palate: Thatchers v. Aldi in a trademark dispute
In the current High Court battle between Thatchers and Aldi, a unique twist unfolds as the judge is invited to partake in a "taste test." The crux of the matter revolves around proving a breach in the trademark, with Thatchers alleging that Aldi's Taurus cider mirrors...
New Balance triumphs in Delhi High Court: securing well-known trademark status
In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has recognized NEW BALANCE and NB, the distinctive symbols of the renowned sports footwear and apparel giant New Balance Athletics Inc., as well-known trademarks. This judicial decision not only highlights the brand's...
What’s your beef? Hamburger giants battle it out in Australian Federal Court
The Australian Federal Court found that Burger King’s Australian franchisee, Hungry Jack’s, engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct for the statement that its BIG JACK burger contained 25% more beef than its well-known rival. However, the Court denied McDonald’s...
Maradona’s legacy in the hands of his heirs: trademarks and their legacy value
In a recent case, Diego Maradona’s heirs have triumphed in asking the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to strike out the transfer of Maradona’s trademarks to the soccer legend’s former lawyers, Sattvica. Maradona had registered a number of...
Biden’s Executive Order on artificial intelligence holds promise for new intellectual property policies
On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which the Biden administration describes as “the most sweeping actions ever taken to protect Americans from the...
Exploring the transformation of Vietnam’s Digital Library of Industrial Property
As we step into the year 2024, Vietnam’s intellectual property landscape is undergoing a significant transformation in the digital realm. From January 1, 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) will initiate a remarkable change; trademark...
Branding: when opting for an “Easy Life” is anything but because Sir Stelios asserts his rights
Many of you may have become aware of the recent, high-profile brand dispute which arose between EasyGroup Ltd. (a brand owner) and a group of popular musicians performing as “Easy Life”. Broadly, the established music group “Easy Life” who had been performing for...
What’s in a name? The tragic tale of The Guess Who
“Almost Famous” is one of my favorite movies. There is a scene where Lester Bangs (played by the amazing Philip Seymour Hoffman) is talking to a radio DJ about her song choices and extolls the virtues of The Guess Who over The Doors. While The Guess Who certainly had...
The International Trademark Association announces the first ever Unreal Campaign Week
New York, New York—November 11, 2023—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has launched its inaugural Unreal Campaign Week. Combining in-person student presentations with a robust Instagram campaign, Unreal Campaign Week is designed to spread the campaign’s...
Delhi High Court protects Red Bull’s signature blue and silver color combination
In yet another case of consumer confusion, the Delhi High Court recently restrained Rohidas Popat Kapadnis and Blue Marine Bottling Company from manufacturing SEVEN HOURS energy drinks in packaging with a blue and silver color combination resembling Red Bull's...
Taylor Swift’s branding acumen rubs off on NFL boyfriend Travis Kelce
Last week, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, appears to have taken a play out of the musician’s playbook and launched a brand protection plan focused on something more than just product lines: himself. The fellow 1989er filed...
Surge in AI legal cases as companies urgently await clarity on copyright issues
Intellectual property law will struggle to keep up with fast-paced AI developments Companies urging professional advisors not to input any of their confidential data into AI amid fears of data leaks The surge in new artificial intelligence (AI) legal cases to decide...
Stripes in the spotlight: Adidas’ latest trademark clash
Undeterred by its varying success rates in trademark disputes, Adidas finds itself embroiled in another legal battle. You guessed it – it concerns its iconic three-striped logo once again. The sportswear giant opposed LIV Golf League’s trademark applications for their...
Trader Joe’s has a big bite!
Many who frequent Trader Joe’s to buy groceries feel immediately calmed by the friendly atmosphere and smiling faces of the ever-cheerful employees! One may be easily forgiven for thinking that Trader Joe’s is perpetually conflict-free and yet this assumption would...
Domino’s Pizza wins trademark battle against Dominick Pizza
In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has ordered a Ghaziabad India-based pizza outlet to stop using the name "Dominick Pizza" after finding that it infringed on the trademark of multinational pizza giant Domino's Pizza. The Court's decision is a significant...
PUMA counterfeiting case: assessing damages based on Local Commissioner Report
In cases involving trademark infringement and the sale of counterfeit products, defendants often choose not to participate in legal proceedings, making it challenging to determine the extent of damages. However, a recent judgment by Justice Prathiba M Singh, the...
Keynote speakers to bring insight, ideas, and inspiration to International Trademark Association’s Leadership Meeting in Houston, Texas
New York, New York—October 16, 2023—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has announced the keynote speakers for its 2023 Leadership Meeting, which will take place November 14 to November 17, 2023, in Houston, Texas, USA. Each of the three keynote...
ASIPI invites attendees to presentation by the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
ASIPI is pleased to invite you to the presentation that the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law will be giving about its academic programs and scholarship program as part of our ASIPI Mexico Congress. This session will take place on December 5th,...
Challenges and threats when trademarking unique shapes: the KitKat case
Introduction The recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding the trademark status of Nestle's iconic four-finger KitKat bar has ignited discussions about the challenges and threats associated with trademarking unique shapes of products. This case...
IP rights & AI: what to take away from a recent Indian decision
At the present rate, there are roughly two major AI developments per day. Over successive days in September 2023, Open AI announced that Dall-E 3 would be integrated with GPT 4 which is important because it gives the image platform detailed generative abilities based...
Copyright for AI-generated works: the boundaries of human authorship
The interplay between technology and law has always been a dynamic field, and it continues to evolve with the emergence of new technologies like generative AI that create new unprecedented challenges. Particularly as AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into...
There’s no “advancetrack” in this trademark dispute!
This is a decision that considers the alleged trademark infringement of “advancetrack” as a keyword in an internet advert campaign. Judge Tindal reviewed the impact of the EU Withdrawal Agreement in detail, and the likely effect of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and...
Is New Balance off balance in the face of Golden Goose?
Footwear company New Balance recently sued Golden Goose for trademark infringement with respect to its “Dad-Star” sneaker.[1] The complaint alleges that Golden Goose willfully infringed on the common law trade dress rights New Balance has established in its 990...
Knives out between Grubhub and Home Chef
Home Chef and Grubhub are battling over their logos, with Home Chef trying to show Grubhub’s trademark application for and use of its new logo should be toast. Home Chef won the first round, obtaining a preliminary injunction against Grubhub, but Grubhub won the...
INTA files amicus brief on “TRUMP TOO SMALL” free speech challenge to Lanham Act
New York, New York —September 13, 2023—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Vidal v. Elster, No. 22-704, a case considering whether the refusal to register a trademark under 15 U.S.C. §...
UK Government consults on implementation of Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances
Responses to the consultation will inform the options for implementation of the Treaty The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a consultation on implementing the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances. The Treaty is an international agreement to...
Possible lawsuit by The New York Times against OpenAI could have serious consequences for copyright holders and ChatGPT alike
A high-profile plaintiff could soon join the growing number of parties who have brought lawsuits against OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. After licensing negotiations between OpenAI and The New York Times reportedly broke down last month, the media giant is allegedly...