Tag archives: brand protection

Authorization of certain IP-related transactions in Russia

Photo of Tim Kenny (US)By Tim Kenny (US) on Posted in Intellectual Property
The ink was not even dry on the update regarding Russia-related IP issues that we published last week, when we learned of two more major developments. The USPTO recently issued the following statement on engagement with Russia, the Eurasian Patent Organization and Belarus: Per guidance issued by the U.S. Department of State, the United States Patent and Trademark Office … Continue reading

Key current considerations in handling IP rights in Russia

Photo of Tim Kenny (US)By Tim Kenny (US) on Posted in Intellectual Property
February 24, 2022, Russian troops poured over the border into Ukraine, unleashing unimaginable human suffering and widespread destruction of property. Russia’s aggression also ignited negative consequences in the international economy that continue to increase and cascade throughout all sectors and corners of the globe. As companies and other entities struggle to navigate the broader macro-economic … Continue reading

TTAB rules reckless disregard for the truth constitutes fraud

Photo of Kaylee A. Sill (US)By Kaylee A. Sill (US) on Posted in Brands, Consumer goods, Intellectual Property, technology and innovation
In Chutter, Inc. v. Great Management Group, LLC, a precedential decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) held that recklessly false representations made during the course of the trademark application process satisfy the level of intent required to support a finding of fraud before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).[1] The TTAB’s … Continue reading

Spotify successfully opposes POTIFY applications based on dilution by blurring

Photo of Felicia Boyd (US)By Felicia Boyd (US) on Posted in Brands, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Trademark
In its first precedential decision of 2022, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) sustained two oppositions filed by Spotify AB (“Spotify”) against registration of POTIFY for use in connection with an online ordering platform and community for medical and recreational cannabis consumers to connect with legal marijuana retailers.  Both oppositions were sustained on Spotify’s … Continue reading

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

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

Photo of Madeleine Hodgson (CA)By 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

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
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