On January 2, 2026, a Ninth Circuit panel affirmed the jury verdict in Sedlik v. Von Drachenberg, — F. 4th. —–, 2026 WL 17166 (9th Cir. Jan. 2, 2026), which found that defendant celebrity tattoo artist Katherine Von Drachenberg
Intellectual Property
The Australian IP Report 2025: Staying ahead of the pack
This article was co-authored with Alyson Poole, with thanks to Jerome Messiha.
Overview
IP Australia released the Australian IP Report 2025 (IP Report), providing the latest IP trends, statistics and policy developments across Australia. In this article we explore…
EU design law reform: Implications for businesses
On 1 May 2025, the first phase of reform of European design law entered into force. Regulation (EU) 2024/2822 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/73 together, as phase I, form part of a broader modernisation initiative (the so-called “Designs and Models…
German Federal Court refers ad blocker case back to Hamburg Higher Regional Court
On 31 July 2025, the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) issued its decision (decision of 31 July 2025 – I ZR 131/23) in the long-running dispute between Axel Springer and Eyeo (Adblock Plus), referring the case back to…
TTAB Draws the Line on “See Prior Arguments”
In a precedential opinion issued June 6, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (“USPTO”) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) affirmed the refusal to register PRINCETON EQUITY GROUP as a trademark for “strategic financial advisory services; providing equity…
Future-proofing environmental claims: what you need to know now
Across the globe, businesses are keen to appeal to increasingly ethical consumers by promoting ambitious ESG initiatives. This has led to a flood of “green” claims – such as “sustainable”, “environmentally friendly” and “net carbon zero” – in almost every…
Reputation Reaches Across Borders: TTAB’s Ruling Charts New Course for Foreign Marks
The Board’s Decision
In a significant precedential ruling, Plumrose Holding Ltd. v. USA Ham LLC, No. 91272970, 2025 WL 248763, at *1 (Jan. 17, 2025), the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“Board”) has expanded protection for foreign trademark owners…
Keeping your business IP safe- Intellectual property in a disrupted employment environment
This article was co-authored by Bella Baker
We live in a disrupted world. One impact from this is a gig economy that increasingly favours contractors and freelancers, allowing for more flexible working arrangements. This has also led to the growing…
How DC and Marvel lost their “Superheroes” shield
Superbabies Limited (“Superbabies”) creates comics called “The Super Babies,” featuring a team of superhero babies. On May 14, 2024, Superbabies filed a heavily animated petition (“Petition”) to cancel the marks SUPER HERO (U.S. Reg. No. 8,25,835) and SUPER HEROES (U.S.…
Intellectual property and the digital world
The digital economy is built around speed, simplicity and more efficient ways of doing things. Data security and privacy is expected but is often negotiable as consumers are enticed to trade private information for efficiency or more attractive offers. In…