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- Posted by Michael Coyle on September 16, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksIndividuals and companies are becoming more aware of the benefits in protecting trade mark rights in up and coming industriesThe UK music scene some would say, has not been given as much attention as that in the US. However, with the global interest in world music increasing, it seems that more people are embracing the unique sound it embodies. As a result, service production companies have developed in order to provide services relating to video visuals to this growing industry. This is particularly popular with the UK’s grime scene, which usually depicts, strong, unapologetic and colourful images [...]Read more
- Posted by Michael Coyle on September 10, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksAriana Grande has brought forward a Trade Mark Infringement Case with Forever 21 costing $10 millionAriana Grande has brought forward a trade mark lawsuit against Forever 21. Forever 21 have falsely used Ariana Grande on around 30 images and videos used in conjunction with their clothing brand. Forever 21 have been accused of misappropriating Ariana’s name, image, likeness and music. In one case, even using her latest song ‘7 rings’ for a clothing campaign (run by the founder’s daughters) but have replaced Ariana with a ‘double’. [...]Read more
- Posted by TMR TMR on September 08, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksIn accordance to UK trade mark law, marks containing geographical terms are not registrable.In accordance to UK trade mark law, marks containing geographical terms are not registrable. Section 3(1)(c) of the Trade Mark Act provides that “any sign, which may serve, in trade, to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, the time of production of goods or of rendering of services, or other characteristics of goods or services will be refused registration”. The rationale for this condition is to prevent applicants in having a [...]Read more
- Posted by Michael Coyle on September 07, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksUS claimant fails...it was always going to be difficult.The High Court this month refused an interim injunction in a passing off action concerning the use of a descriptive phrase 'FREEPRINTS '. My first reaction was how on earth did the Claimant think it would succeed in the first place? It argued that there was a serious issue to be tried; they had generated substantial goodwill as a result of extensive use of the sign "FREEPRINTS". The Defendant argued that there was no serious issue to be tried; "FREE PRINTS" was descriptive; the claimants did [...]Read more
- Posted by Michael Coyle on September 07, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksOi! You. You're nickedThe Intellectual Property Office IP Crime and Enforcement 2018 to 2019 Report has been released, in addition a separate supplement with a sample of IP related case studies from Trading Standards is also included. The report can be found here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/829271/ip-crime-and-enforcement-report-2018-19.pdf Some amazing facts ...Some 12 million domains were registered last year with some 32,000 domains [...]Read more
- Posted by Michael Coyle on September 07, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksTrade marks and Amazon and TrademarksAs well as not paying hardly any UK tax Amazon can also be facilitating the infringement of your trade marks or designs. In short according to Marketplace Pulse, an e-commerce analyst, has warned that Amazon is "plagued" with counterfeit goods. It is based on the fact that a quarter of marketplace sellers on Amazon.co.uk were based in China and used Amazon's delivery services to distribute their goods. Now this could be seen to be China bashing but estimates suggest that as much [...]Read more
- Posted by TMR TMR on September 05, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksThe low-down on Community Designs A registered Community Design is a monopoly right that can expand the intellectual property for your business and give you heightened protection.A registered Community Design is a monopoly right that can expand the intellectual property for your business and give you heightened protection. Article 3 of the Design Regulation defines designs as “'The appearance of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colour, shape, texture and/or materials of the product itself and/or its ornamentation”. A registered Community Design will not only give you exclusive rights of use [...]Read more
- Posted by TMR TMR on September 04, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksTrade Dress Infringement, Trade mark Dilution and Unfair CompetitionIt has been long enshrined in trade mark law that a registered trade mark proprietor is protected by law from another entity using their trade mark without their permission (Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Trade Mark Regulation 2018). However, it can be hard for an individual based in the UK to fully understand what trade mark infringement means without understanding the following concepts: - Trade Dress infringement; [...]Read more
- Posted by TMR TMR on August 27, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksThe sport and clothing apparel brand New Balance, has sought the recall of some Nautica products that it claims infringes its famous ‘N’ logo trade markThe sport and clothing apparel brand New Balance, has sought the recall of some Nautica products that it claims infringes its famous ‘N’ logo trade mark. The ‘N’ logo has been used by New Balance since 1976 with the launch of its iconic New Balance 320 skyrocket shoes. New Balance states that the clothing apparel company Nautica’s recent collection featured the use of its ‘N’ logo on various items such as polo shirts and footwear. This has the potential [...]Read more
- Posted by TMR TMR on August 12, 2019 / Posted in Trade MarksThe high-end cam recorder company GoPro has built a reputation in Europe for selling technologically advanced devices.The high-end cam recorder company GoPro has built a reputation in Europe for selling technologically advanced devices. These devices allow for the average person to record memories on footage on land and in the water that looks very life-like in the air or in water. One of its most successful lines is its HERO range which is sold by high-end high street retailers such as John Lewis. As a result, when a Chinese company called Shenzhen applied to register a trade mark for its NightHero Technology, [...]Read more