Case comments
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Is that coffee from Iceland?
An EU General Court decision reinforces the barriers to registering country names as EU trade marks, writes David Birchall. T-105/23, Iceland Foods Ltd v EUIPO, General Court.
Uneven footing
Post-sale circumstances can be considered when assessing similarity and likelihood of confusion, writes Leanne Gulliver. [2025] UKSC 25, Iconix Luxembourg Holdings SARL v Dream Pairs Europe Inc & Anor.
A bad beginning makes a bad ending
A trade mark registered in bad faith may be challenged without any time limit, writes Eve Duggan. C-322/24, Sánchez Romero Carvajal Jabugo SAU v Embutidos Monells SA, CJEU, Eighth Chamber.
Notting Hill-gate
Failure to deal with IP before a corporate restructure led to handbags at dawn over the use of a logo, says Chris Morris. [2025] EWHC 1793 (IPEC), Courtnay-Smith & Anor v The Notting Hill Shopping Bag Company Ltd & Ors.
Not so easy
Rose Smalley-Gordon reviews two conflicting High Court decisions, resolved on appeal. [2025] EWCA Civ 946, easyGroup Ltd v Easy Live (Services) Ltd & Ors; [2025] EWCA Civ 1000, easyGroup Ltd v easyfundraising Ltd & Ors.
Not a valid replacement
A prosthetic-knee-joint maker filed EU trade marks to extend an expired patent in bad faith, reports Geoff Weller. C-17/24, CeramTec GmbH v Coorstek Bioceramics LLC, CJEU.
Not the wisest course of action
A case with no clear winner should perhaps not have gone to court in the first place, says Kerri Ann Hazzard. [2025] EWHC 1722 (IPEC), WISE Payments Ltd v With Wise Ltd & Ors.
A dog by any other name
UK companies with Sweden in their sights must sniff out the ground first, says Julia King. C-365/24, Purefun Group AB v Doggy AB, CJEU, Eighth Chamber.