Tag archives: brand protection

Choc it out: Lindt’s golden bunny granted trade mark recognition in the EU

Photo of Frances Drummond (AU)Photo of Isobel Taylor (AU)By Frances Drummond (AU) and Isobel Taylor (AU) on Posted in Trademark
It is well-established that a shape or colour alone can function as a trade mark, that is, a badge of origin indicating to consumers the source of the relevant goods or services. However, in practice, achieving the level of ubiquity required to be granted such a trade mark registration can be difficult.[1] It is also … Continue reading

Federal Circuit upholds constitutionality of TTAB judges

Photo of Andrea Shannon (US)Photo of Robert Greeson (US)By Andrea Shannon (US) and Robert Greeson (US) on Posted in Patents, Trademark
This week the Federal Circuit rejected a constitutional challenge to the Secretary of Commerce’s appointment of administrative judges to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). The decision comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision in June in Arthrex v. Smith & Nephew, which stated … Continue reading

Consultation Open for Australia’s Medical and Biotechnology Patent Box

Photo of Jackie O'Brien (AU)By Jackie O'Brien (AU) on Posted in General, Intellectual Property, Patents
On 5 July 2021, the Government released its Discussion Paper setting out the Government’s proposal and seeking views from key stakeholders. The paper will be open for submissions until 16 August 2021.   Now is the opportunity for stakeholders to put forward their suggestions as to what a patent box in Australia should entail. Patent boxes … Continue reading

Government edicts doctrine precludes legislators from claiming copyright protection

Photo of Felicia Boyd (US)Photo of Alicia Groos (US)Photo of Andre Hanson (US)By Felicia Boyd (US), Alicia Groos (US) and Andre Hanson (US) on Posted in Copyright
In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court held in Georgia et al v. Public.Resource.Org., Inc. (No. 18-1150) (April 27, 2020) that the state of Georgia is not entitled to copyright protection for its official annotated code. The Copyright Act grants expansive rights for “original works of authorship.” 17 U.S.C. § 102(a). Georgia claimed … Continue reading

My oh my Myanmar! 

Photo of Georgina Hey (AU)Photo of Matt Allen (AU)By Georgina Hey (AU) and Matt Allen (AU) on Posted in Trademark
The Myanmar government has recently flagged its intention to implement new trade mark laws commencing mid-2020. This is good news for global brand owners hoping for Myanmar’s laws to be better aligned to international trade mark standards. However, brand owners must take positive steps to ensure that their trade marks remain protected under the new … Continue reading

Unauthorized invoices – Canadian trademark owners beware

Photo of Mark Edward Davis (CA)By Mark Edward Davis (CA) on Posted in Trademark
Canadians trademark owners are being targeted with misleading fee and renewal notices. As discussed previously, this is not a new phenomenon, but is one we are seeing with increasing incidence. These seemingly official invoices have caused some to pay exorbitant fees to private companies in the mistaken belief that they are paying fees required by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).… Continue reading

Shifting Paradigms – A new report for the future of copyright in Canada

Photo of Jordana Sanft (CA)Photo of Madeleine Hodgson (CA)By Jordana Sanft (CA) and Madeleine Hodgson (CA) on Posted in Copyright
Over the past year the House Heritage Committee has been preparing its Shifting Paradigms report which was released in May 2019. The report considers and discusses some of the current challenges and possible solutions pertaining to the ecosystem in which artists work. It also speaks to reinvigorating copyright in Canada. This report is of interest … Continue reading

Amendment to Chinese Trade Mark Law on bad faith trade mark applications with no intention to use

Photo of Justin Davidson (HK)Photo of Phoebe Poon (HK)By Justin Davidson (HK) and Phoebe Poon (HK) on Posted in Trademark
Complaints regarding the growth of bad faith trade mark applications in China have been raised for a while now.  The existing Trade Mark Law in China does not readily imply bad faith on trade mark applicants with no genuine intention to use. On 23 April 2019, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed … Continue reading

Canadian Trademark Oppositions – Put your best foot forward

Photo of Mark Edward Davis (CA)By Mark Edward Davis (CA) on Posted in Trademark
Before a Canadian trademark is registered, it must be advertised and exposed to third-party opposition before the Canadian Trademarks Opposition Board (“TMOB”).  Procedural complexity has triggered criticism of Canadian trademark opposition proceedings as formalistic.  For example, appeals from the TMOB to the Federal Court are available as of right and it has always been a peculiar feature of … Continue reading

Ok Google, Hey Siri, Hi Alexa – have you renewed my trade mark yet?

Photo of Frances Drummond (AU)Photo of Alyson Poole (AU)Photo of Sophie Lees (AU)Photo of Rebecca Brenikov (AU)By Frances Drummond (AU), Alyson Poole (AU), Sophie Lees (AU) and Rebecca Brenikov (AU) on Posted in Trademark
With the ever increasing ubiquity of technologies improving everyday tasks in personal life, it is little wonder that such technologies are also offering efficiencies and advantages in the work context.  Phrases such as process automation, data mining, machine learning and actionable intelligence are no longer far-out themes, but instead are being used regularly (and with … Continue reading

Brexit: trademarks and designs

Photo of Clare Jackman (UK)By Clare Jackman (UK) on Posted in General
It won’t be news to you that there is still a great deal of uncertainty around Brexit and, with the March 29, 2019 looming, we do not yet know if the UK will exit in an orderly fashion (with a deal and with a transition period), obtain an extension of the negotiating period with a view to agreeing terms, crash out without a deal or, reverse the process altogether.… Continue reading

Good to know: The US trademark office has a ‘proof of use’ audit program for trademark registrations

Photo of Georgina Hey (AU)Photo of Rebecca Brenikov (AU)By Georgina Hey (AU) and Rebecca Brenikov (AU) on Posted in Trademark
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires trademark owners to support their trademark registrations by providing one specimen of use per class, at both 6 years and 10 years after the trademark registration date. So, for instance, if you have a registration covering ‘clothing, footwear and headgear’ in class 25, providing the US trademark … Continue reading
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