Few squeaky toys have generated as much noise as Bad Spaniels. VIP Products LLC (VIP) v. Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. (JDPI) began as a dispute over a dog-poop themed parody of a Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey bottle. More than a
Trademark
China’s Major Amendment to Trade Mark Law: Key Changes – Part II


In Part I of this series, posted here, we reported on certain amendments to Trade Mark Law of the People’s Republic of China. In this article, we continue outlining some of the other important amendments.
Voluntary cancellations now carry …
China’s Major Amendment to Trade Mark Law: Key Changes – Part I


On 26 June 2026, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the fifth amendment to the Trade Mark Law of the People’s Republic of China. The revised law, expected to take effect on 1 January 2027, introduces a…
AI, deepfakes and IP rights
Can existing IP rights provide protection in relation to deepfake imitations of celebrity voices, catchphrases and appearance? Here we consider the law from a UK perspective.
Do We Have Bad Blood? Taylor Swift Successfully Opposes “SWIFT HOME” Trademark Application
When a home goods company tried to register “SWIFT HOME” for its pillows and sheets, Taylor Swift was not about to shake it off. The intense (albeit brief) trademark showdown between Swift and Cathay Home offers a front-row seat to…
Never Give Up: How SIDECAR SLIDER BAR Proves Persistence Pays Off in Trademark Prosecution
Bucking the trend of recent Section(d) refusal affirmances, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) delivered a surprising victory to the applicant in In re Restaurant Concept Management, LLC,[1] finding no likelihood of confusion between SIDECAR SLIDER BAR…
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…
Be aware of the PRC trade mark office’s adjustments to practice regarding non-use cancellation

The Chinese New Year is generally seen by those celebrating it as a time for reflection, change and improvement. For the 2025 Chinese New Year, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) also seems to have taken the opportunity to…
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…
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.…
