Executive summary
- Whether they are specific individuals or particular jurisdictions, the rise to prominence of mass filers over the past few years has had a significant impact on the trademark landscape, making it far more complicated to clear new brand names.
- IP offices are under renewed pressure to ensure that their systems and processes are sufficiently robust, and that suitable support and advanced tools are available for businesses that clash with bad-faith applicants.
- While mass filing activity has boosted revenue, IP offices cannot base future financial decisions on the assumption that such filers will remain in the market long term.
- The risk of costly disputes has increased, making it vital that rights holders and their representatives adapt their policing strategies, particularly in jurisdictions that third parties often use to file applications under the radar.