Trademark owners often face challenges when attempting to enforce against non-confusing third party trademark use, for example, where someone has adopted a “parody” mark, where the mark may be similar trademark, or have the same ‘look and feel’, but in
China Releases Draft Patent Law Amendment
On 3rd July 2020, the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China released a second draft of proposed amendments to the PRC Patent Law for public consultation. In response to opinions from various government authorities and
Brexit and the Ongoing Effects on Trademarks and Designs
With less than six months until the end of the transition period (December 31, 2020), Boris Johnson’s government launched a major information campaign on July 13 known as “Check, Change and Go” to help individuals and businesses prepare for the
German patent interim injunctions require the patent to have survived validity proceedings
In its decision dated 12 December 2019, the Higher Regional Court Munich ruled that in principle, an interim injunction for patent infringement should not be ordered unless it can be satisfied that the validity of the patent-in-suit is ensured, for
July Update – Response from Canadian Courts to COVID-19
Canadian jurisdictions continue to relax social distancing measures and take steps towards resuming operations while maintaining safe practices. This post provides an update on the status of the courts across Canada.
We will continue to provide updates as matters progress.
A Generic Word Combined With “.Com” Can Create A Protectable Trademark
In United States Patent And Trademark Office, Et Al., v. Booking.Com B. V. (No. 19-46, Jun. 30, 2020), the Supreme Court held that the combination of a generic term with “.com”—referred to as a “generic.com term”–could be a protectable trademark.
Federal Common Law Governs Availability of Statutory Restitution in Diversity Suit
The Ninth Circuit held that, irrespective of a state’s own standards for equitable relief, a federal court exercising diversity jurisdiction is bound by federal common law requirements for granting the equitable remedy of restitution, including the mandate that such relief
Think bankruptcy will save you? Think again, counterfeiters
One of the most oft heard “defence” from a purveyor of counterfeit goods, when faced with the prospect of a significant damages award, is “I’ll just go bankrupt”. The threat being that, unless the right holder lets the counterfeiter off
(Mis)Interpretation of Standard Did Not Support False Advertising Liability
The Eleventh Circuit just ruled that a standard-setting-body’s interpretation of its own standards is an opinion that cannot support Lanham Act false advertising liability. Warren Technology, Inc. v. UL LLC, __ F.3d __, No. 18-14976, 2020 WL 3406585 (11th
Outlaw Labs Can’t Charge Ahead In Suit Against Rhino Sellers
Another chapter in the Outlaw Laboratories litigation drama has ended with another defeat for Outlaw.
In 2018 the FDA warned consumers that some “Rhino” products—supplements that compete with Outlaw’s own “male enhancement” supplements—were adulterated with the active ingredients found in