Blog Archive

• A trade mark application from start to finish
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 30, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  A complete overview of the application process of a trade mark, allowing you to be clear of the process and know what to expect.
  Stage 1: Development The first stage of registering a trade mark, may be obvious, but it is to actually develop your trade mark. This may seem a straightforward step but it can take a substantial amount of time and effort to ensure you are happy with the branding you have chosen and that will be attached to your business for years to come. It must be unique and allow customers to identify you over competitors. You may already have a business name or logo which you want to be protected but you [...]
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• The three tiers of trade mark protection
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 30, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  When looking to register a trade mark, it is important that you fully consider your options to ensure you have the right level of protection for your brand from the start.
  When looking to register a trade mark, it is important that you fully consider your options to ensure you have the right level of protection for your brand from the start. Intellectual property, especially trade marks are valuable assets to a business, therefore it is important that you are fully protected against third parties trying to muscle in on your success. There are two considerations when starting to develop your trade mark application, scope and location. A trade mark can protect a [...]
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• Blue Ivy TM push by Beyoncé blocked by namesake company
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 22, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  As the importance and effect of trade marks have become appreciated more widely, many celebrities have made a bid to protect their more original offspring’s names with a registered trade mark.
  As the importance and effect of trade marks have become appreciated more widely, many celebrities have made a bid to protect their more original offspring’s names with a registered trade mark. Victoria Beckham and her bid for her daughter Harper’s name to be protected has been in the news of late in the UK but it seems there has been a similar battle simmering across the pond for some time. Beyoncé and Jay Z of music stardom, previously tried to register ‘Blue [...]
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• More stripe trade mark trouble for Adidas
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 22, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Yet again Adidas have had to oppose a trade mark application which they state is infringing their widely recognised three stripe mark.
  Sportswear brands are amongst those who have really got to grips with their brand protection. Many of the best protected businesses with registered trade marks are some of the world’s leading sports brands. With such well established brands, sportwear companies seem to constantly have trade mark trouble. Adidas is no exception. Yet again they have had to oppose a trade mark application which they state is infringing their widely recognised three stripe mark. The business on the [...]
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• That really takes the biscuit: KitKat TM bid fails once more
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 22, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  A trade mark battle that has been progressing for the last seven years, Nestle have been set back yet again with their latest bid for trade mark success has fallen short.
  A trade mark battle that has been progressing for the last seven years, Nestle have been set back yet again with their latest bid for trade mark success has fallen short. The subject of this battle has been a favourite tea time treat, the four finger KitKat which Nestle maintains as being worth the protection of a registered trade mark. However, many think otherwise with the initial opposition and continuing objections made by Cadbury, and their US owners Mondelez. The application has been [...]
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• Keeping your eye on your brand: trade mark watching
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 15, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  It is of course important to protect your brand through registration, it is equally important to continually monitor your registered marks to ensure they are not being used and abused by someone else.
  It is of course important to protect your brand through registration, it is equally important to continually monitor your registered marks to ensure they are not being used and abused by someone else. This monitoring can be done through the process of trade mark watching. Trade mark watching is a process completed by the trade mark owner, or someone on their behalf, in which any action taken by a third party which may take advantage or infringe your brand. The watcher will be looking for any [...]
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• Is there an alternative to litigation if my trade mark has been infringed?
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 15, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  It is extremely important that you take action to protect your brand otherwise the effort you have put in to create it will be a waste.
  When you discover another party is infringing your trade mark that you have spent a lot of time or money to create and develop, it can be heart-breaking. However, it is extremely important that you take action to protect your brand otherwise the effort you have put in to create it will be a waste. The most common action to take is to start court proceedings. This can be an extremely costly process in regards to both time and money. In addition, you have the risk of falling foul of existing [...]
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• Cat clash in car trade mark claim
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 15, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Jaguar Land Rover has taken a swipe at a trade mark application made by sportswear clothing company Puma, which made tread on their toes.
  Jaguar Land Rover has taken a swipe at a trade mark application made by sportswear clothing company Puma, which made tread on their toes. In April last year, Puma filed an application for ‘Puma’ coupled with an image of a leaping puma cat. This was in relation to international class 12 which covers boats, bicycles, wheelchairs and golf carts. During its period of publication, Jaguar filed an opposition claiming that it would cause confusion and will give the impression of a [...]
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• Trade mark protection in the EU: still worth it post Brexit?
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 15, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  If you are looking to register a trade mark for your brand, EU wide protection may seem a useful prospect. However, it is unclear how effective this level of protection will be now Mrs May has invoked Article 50.
  If you are looking to register a trade mark for your brand, EU wide protection may seem a useful prospect. However, it is unclear how effective this level of protection will be now Mrs May has invoked Article 50. It is important to first stress that nothing will change overnight. Brexit negotiations have been predicted to take at least 2 years, if not longer, therefore until all the details have been finalised, there will be no major changes to the system. However, it is important to consider [...]
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• Unicorn coffee action against Starbucks
  Posted by Jane Coyle on May 08, 2017 / Posted in Trade Marks
  The End Brooklyn, a café based in New York City, has taken on coffee corporation Starbucks over their latest addition to their menu, the Unicorn Frappuccino.
  Every year sees a new trend which takes the world by storm. This year its Unicorns! With everything unicorn popping up on the market, there seems to be a battle of originality with the big companies battling for top spot. It seems there has also been a bit of big business overshadowing happening which has led to a recent trade mark case. The End Brooklyn, a café based in New York City, has taken on coffee corporation Starbucks over their latest addition to their menu, the Unicorn [...]
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