Features
It has been another busy year for the trademarks organisation at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Major changes include a proposed new fee structure and a renewed focus on enhancing the customer experience
Nearly 600 applications for ‘cannabis’ marks languish before the US Patent and Trademark Office, yet its patent arm happily grants protection for inventions which use the drug. Where does this disconnect come from and could other industries be vulnerable?
The issue of intermediary liability is a hot topic, particularly in the online environment, with decisions in Tommy Hilfiger and Tobias Mc Fadden only intensifying the debate
While France accounts for 87% of hashtag removal requests worldwide, the interplay between brands and hashtags is increasingly international – making it crucial to understand how they are treated in the European Union and the United States
Trademark disputes are largely unavoidable, but careful strategising around settlement approaches can turn conflicts into opportunities to add value to the brand involved in the dispute
In October 2016 World Trademark Review convened a high-level leadership summit to discuss and strategise best practice for brand monetisation efforts. Here we present the key discussion points and takeaways
Celebrity endorsements are big business in India, where a nod from a Bollywood star or pro cricketer can be enough to convince consumers to part with hard-earned cash. But new legislation could be set to change this
Following amendments to the trademark regime in 2014, brand owners have a number of options they can take to protect themselves if they discover bad-faith registrations of their marks
Section 58A of Australia’s Trademarks Act 1995 provides a basis for opponents to challenge the registration of trademarks accepted under prior continuous use. However, recent decisions indicate a shift away from a literal interpretation of this
On October 20 2016 World Trademark Review hosted its second annual Managing the Trademark Asset Lifecycle event in the heart of Wall Street, New York City. The event was often boisterous, with speakers and attendees alike frequently at odds on the most effective ways to capitalise on trademark assets
World Trademark Review asked trademark professionals and IP association representatives from across the globe to highlight some of the most significant issues they faced in 2016 and what to look out for in 2017
Experience shows that the mere pursuit of direct infringers in malls and markets is an inefficient way to discourage the sale of counterfeit goods. By contrast, strategic actions against landlords can get real results
With more courts establishing specialisms in IP matters across the globe, an overview of the different regimes is more important than ever
Columns
A significant change in the governance of the Internet took place in October 2016, when the US government ceded control over a core piece of internet infrastructure to ICANN. But what does this mean in practical terms?
The US Supreme Court’s decision to take up a constitutional challenge to the bar on registering marks that “may disparage” will have far-reaching implications for trademark practitioners, as well as the practice of trademark law
The failed lobbying efforts of IP associations around tobacco-related plain packaging demonstrate the need to reconsider brand protection in light of potentially conflicting public interests
Trademark-related quotes, opinions and observations from around the globe
News
Country correspondent
While the EU customs regime is a cost-efficient tool for combating counterfeiting, its scope is threatened by changes in how counterfeiters operate and the fallout from Brexit
While three-dimensional printing is being hailed as a game changer, rights holders must consider how to adapt their IP strategies to meet the challenges of this new technology
Thanks to a constant flow of counterfeits on the Russian market, Customs has evolved into a well-regulated government machine, which is orchestrating a promising number of seizures
A major operation organised by the Naples tax police in April 2016 resulted in 53 pre-trial detention orders against members of the Camorra – highlighting the concrete links between counterfeiting and organised crime
While India has a strong legal framework for combating counterfeiting and piracy, the challenge comes from applying these laws, along with the somewhat cumbersome procedures they set out
The new request for assistance programme, as well as various judicial procedures, can be effective tools in brand owners’ Canadian anti-counterfeiting arsenal
A variety of anti-counterfeiting options are available in China. However, the most crucial advice remains: plan ahead
