Blog Archive
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 31, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksColgate, a leading brand in respect of oral healthcare, have made an attempt to stamp out the competition in the US by filing a trade mark infringement claim.Colgate, a leading brand in respect of oral healthcare, have made an attempt to stamp out the competition in the US by filing a trade mark infringement claim. The claim was made against Ranir, who are a Michigan-based seller of oral healthcare products. Ranir launched a new line of products at the end of last year under the name ‘Smile 360’. This line included toothbrushes, whitening strips and dental floss. Colgate have taken a dim view of these products and claim the name [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 30, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksThe latest in a long line of celebrities to turn to trade marks to protect their name is long standing actress and the mother of Hollywood, Meryl Streep.The latest in a long line of celebrities to turn to trade marks to protect their name is long standing actress and the mother of Hollywood, Meryl Streep. While she may seem to be late to the game, as she has been an actress for decades, she is still a prominent star and one of the best, therefore now is the right time to gain protection. Many celebrities are now becoming brands rather than just individuals. With a business brand, it is imperative that you ensure your brand name has protection [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 26, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksPossibly the unluckiest company when it comes to trade marks, Nestle have become involved in yet another EU trade mark dispute.Yet another trade mark blow for Nestle. Possibly the unluckiest company when it comes to trade marks, Nestle have become involved in yet another EU trade mark dispute. The dispute started with a rare Nestle trade mark success, which saw their application for ‘Fitness’ accepted and registered as a trade mark in the EU under classes 29, 30 and 32 which covers food and drink in May 2005. However, problems started in 2011, when Romania- based business European Food made an application [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 26, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksOver the past 12 months, we have noticed a sharp increase in the number of fake invoices being received by our clientsOver the past 12 months, we have noticed a sharp increase in the number of fake invoices being received by our clients While we are sure to warn our clients of these invoices, there are many who are caught out by them, especially if they have not filed through a representative. The scam invoices are very convincing and claim that further funds need to be paid in regards to a recently filed trade mark applications. These claims are false but many are tricked into giving these fraudsters their [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 19, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksA key concern for a business owner, especially one who is just starting out, is to ensure their brand is protected and they will not run up big bills trying to protect it.A key concern for a business owner, especially one who is just starting out, is to ensure their brand is protected and they will not run up big bills trying to protect it. The most important step in protecting your brand is registering it as a trade mark. However, once your mark is registered, the work does not stop there as the brand must be watched to ensure there is no third party trying to take advantage. When you are selling a product on the internet, this can be a never-ending task with [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 11, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksAs your brand becomes more and more popular, the risk of ‘genericide’, death of a brand through being generic, grows bigger.The key aspect of as trade mark is that it is a distinctive way for your consumers to distinguish you from the competition. If your mark loses its distinctiveness, it is no longer fulfilling its function as a badge of origin of goods but only becoming a representative of the goods or services themselves. Some of the most commonplace of terms now once were brands, destroyed by overuse. A key example of this is the Hoover, once a brand now so diluted it has become the word of choice for the [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 11, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksAs reported on the Trademarkroom blog last year, sportwear brand Puma took action against clothing brand Forever 21 for trade mark and copyright infringement following the release of similar designs of footwear.As reported on the Trademarkroom blog last year, sportwear brand Puma took action against clothing brand Forever 21 for trade mark and copyright infringement following the release of similar designs of footwear. In 2015 Puma collaborated with popstar Rhianna in the creation of the footwear brand Fenty Puma by Rhianna. Under this brand, Puma released a number of footwear designs including the Fur Slide sandal, the Bow Slide sandal and the Creeper trainer. These became sort after styles in that [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 04, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksSince emerging in 2009, taxi app firm Uber Technologies have been constantly on the legal radar for one matter or the other.Since emerging in 2009, taxi app firm Uber Technologies have been constantly on the legal radar for one matter or the other. Matters in regards to IP have been no exception. An ongoing matter in relation to trade marks was in respect of their use of ‘Uber’. The original Uber was Uber Operations who are an IT company providing computer cloud services. Uber Operations was founded in 2004. Even though Uber Operations were around first, it was Uber Technologies who got in first to [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on January 04, 2018 / Posted in Trade MarksDuring 2017, the famous Kardashian family kept their IP lawyers busy as there were trade mark matters emerging all the time.During 2017, the famous Kardashian family kept their IP lawyers busy as there were trade mark matters emerging all the time. It seems that they have not decided to slow down for 2018 as a new potential trade mark tussle emerges. As with the system here in the UK, the US trade mark system allows a period for existing trade mark owners to oppose a trade mark application if they feel it will conflict with their trade marks. Another similarity with the UK and US is that period can be extended by [...]Read more