How to build great sports brands; USPTO, TIPO pendency changes; Ford, GM, Stellantis litigation data; and much more
Everything we covered on WTR over the past seven days, and all you need to know from the world of trademarks to set yourself up for the start of another busy week.
Special Report: Sports Brand Playbook
Out this week, the Sports Brand Playbook is an essential guide to championing winning brands on and off the playing field. Examining the nuances of brand protection in the sports industry, this comprehensive resource offers expert insights and practical strategies tailored specifically for professionals tasked with building and maintaining successful sports brands, as well as those looking to partner with them.
Long Read
WTR examines the biggest brands in esports, with data analysis revealing the trademark filing strategies of major games producers and the most popular teams.
Monday 15 July
USPTO first action pendency falls, but wider issues persist, say attorneys.
Plus:
- When business relationships exceed the scope of the UDRP (International)
- HOLLYWOOD COFFEE CO likely to be confused with HOLLYWOOD CAFÉ (United States)
Tuesday 16 July
Austria performs best on intellectual property in the 2024 European Innovation Scoreboard, but intellectual assets have been a “challenge” for the European Union since 2017, research shows.
In the third instalment in our series highlighting Legal Updates you may have missed, we ask what can be learnt from recent courtroom defeats for fashion and luxury brands Kurt Geiger, Hermès, Timberland and Vans.
Nike sues sellers of branded shoe-making kits, Bangkok authorities bust a counterfeit Botox ring, the Federal Trade Commission issues a franchisor warning, and more.
Plus:
- General Court: evidence of distinctiveness not relevant in assessing absolute ground of refusal of 3D shape under Article 7(1)(e) (European Union)
- Battle of the basketball tournaments (International)
Wednesday 17 July
IP treaties, EPO agreements and calls to shutter WIPO’s Moscow office are among the talking points at this year’s WIPO General Assemblies.
Vietnam looks set to establish a new IP court in January 2025, with ambitions to reduce pendency and improve efficiency.
In the final instalment of our series highlighting recent Legal Updates that you may have missed, we take a closer look at the times that the EUIPO Board of Appeal has made the wrong decision.
Plus:
- Complainant not on cloud nine as evidence of targeting lacking (International)
- ARCHITECT does not identify professional architect, TTAB reversal states (United States)
Thursday 18 July
In a major update, French INPI CEO Pascal Faure outlines the innovative tools and services that the office has in place – and those it is developing for the future.
Pendency increases at the Taiwan IP Office despite a continued drop in applications.
Plus:
- bet365 secures figurative mark in limited classes – excluding betting (European Union)
- Monster Energy fails to cancel golden PREDATOR mark for beverages (United States)
- Analysis reveals mobile apps constitute evidence of use in trademark cancellation or invalidation actions (Market Insight: China)
Friday 19 July
Litigation data analysis for Ford, GM and Stellantis reveals which of the biggest US car makers have increased domestic enforcement activity in the past two years – and to what success.
Real Madrid is named the world’s most valuable football brand, authorities seize €14 million worth of fake spirits, NFL players dispute an application for EIGHT, and more.
Plus:
- Acts of forgery and fabrication for claiming false prior use are punishable, Delhi High Court holds (India)
- Vietnam halves IP fees, extends time limits and delivers decisions via email (Vietnam)
Saturday 20 July
A new academic paper argues that Amazon has upended the US trademark system, and that questions about trademark law in the modern age need answering.
