Five things you need to know – North America
Canada
The Canada Federal Court Trial Division has handed down its decision to cancel the trademark registration for the term LIVE for non-use. The court stated that in order for a trademark to be in use in Canada, it is essential that aspects of the service are offered or performed there. In this instance, the court found that use of the trademark with the registered service “had no tangible benefit and meaningful benefit enjoyed in Canada”.
Canada
Over $1 million-worth of counterfeit electronics have been seized in one month at the International Falls port of entry between Canada and the United States. Among the seized goods were counterfeit earphones and fake Apple and Samsung chargers, which would have originally retailed at $55,000. In addition, $400,000-worth of LED televisions and $600,000-worth of gas-price digital display boards have been compounded.
United States
A new survey from Crestline Custom Promotional Products, made up of responses from 1,630 US residents, has found that – of the 82 studied – the Starbucks mermaid is the most recognised brand mascot in the United States. Other mascots in the top five were Colonel Sanders (KFC), the GEICO gecko, the M&M characters and Ronald McDonald (McDonald’s). On the flipside, the least recognised mascots were Coco the monkey (Coco Pops) and the Duracell bunny. The survey also asked for the most likeable mascot, with Poppin’ Fresh the Pillsbury Doughboy heading the list (with an average of 8.66 out of 10 likeability) and Mr Mucus from Mucinex rated the least likeable (2.94 out of 10).
United States
Financial giant Mastercard is implementing blockchain technology solutions to track “limited edition fashion items”. The company has partnered with retailer Fred Segal Sunset and fashion platform Made to showcase collections from female designers and artists and will use its Provenance blockchain technology to track product journeys. The move is designed to protect supply chains and allow companies and consumers to track authentic goods.
United States
The US Department of Justice has announced that a Chinese national living in the United States on a student visa has been sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for his role in a scheme to traffic and smuggle counterfeit Apple products. From July 2009 to February 2014, Jianhua ‘Jeff’ Li, working through his company Dream Digitals, conspired with other defendants to smuggle more than 40,000 electronic devices and accessories, along with labels and packaging bearing counterfeit Apple trademarks, into the United States.