Sector: Technology

The World Intellectual Property Organisation recently released annual data for industrial design filings under the Hague System; this is the first year in which Japan and the United States, and the second year in which South Korea, have been members of the scheme. All three countries now appear to be major players when it comes to design rights, as Korean press reports suggest – but a closer analysis of the statistics tells a different story.

15 April 2016

A number of well-known brand-related trademarks, including UBER, COMCAST, FEDEX and some related to international law firms, have been filed in Cuba by entities that appear to be unrelated to the legitimate brand owner. With single entities responsible for a multiple number of such applications, it highlights the growing need for brand owners to have an effective monitoring strategy in Cuba.

07 April 2016

Innelec Multimedia contested the seizure of its goods by French Customs. The court found in favour of Innelec and ordered that Customs pay the warehousing fees and compensation.

22 March 2016

A preliminary injunction has been issued against ride-sharing service Uber Technologies requiring it to revert to technology which is arguably inconsistent with its app-driven business.

17 March 2016

Apple recently removed Magic AdBlock, a program used to block and filter online advertisements, from its App Store after receiving a complaint of trademark infringement from the producers of rival software AdBlock Plus. The dispute underlines the often crucial role that branding and trademarks can play in open source projects where patent and copyright protection is absent.

16 March 2016

In <i> Embarcadero Technologies Inc v Delphix Corporation </i>the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board showed how far it had moved from its pre-<i>Bose</i> treatment of fraud claims.

10 March 2016

The Patent Office has upheld an opposition by Apple Inc against a trademark application by domestic company FrameWorkz ehf, on the grounds of likelihood of confusion.

10 March 2016

The CEO of one of the biggest e-sports organisations has revealed how trademarks have allowed it to commercialise its brand and expand around the world. In this fledgling sector, such a proactive approach to IP is rare; but major e-sports teams should be more aware of the importance of their brands - both for their own growth and for the credibility of the industry.

08 March 2016

China’s 13th Five-Year Plan has tremendous significance for China’s business climate and is the most anticipated social, economic, environmental and technological blueprint for advancement between 2016 and 2020.

04 March 2016

In the latest edition of <i>World Trademark Review</i>, now available online to subscribers, we present exclusive research into the trademark patterns of R&D-driven innovators. The findings confirm the role of trademarks as a key intangible asset in the corporate strategies of innovative companies.

01 March 2016