Features:
Our conference rises to the challenge
Never has a conference theme been more appropriate. We go behind the scenes of an event that met this year’s unique circumstances head-on.
Brexit: Charting the territories
Martin Chinnery explores the post-transition standing of trade mark rights in some key self-governing jurisdictions.
Analysis: The shape of the future?
As we reach the end of the CJEU’s supremacy in the UK, Dan Bailey reflects on whether INEOS has altered the road ahead for automotive trade mark rights
Brand strategy: Revolution = Evolution
Adjoa Anim reflects on the historic wave of brand rethinks following recent anti-racism protests.
Letter from IPReg: No case for one-size-fits-all
Lord Smith brings us up to date on how IPReg is responding to LSB's formal submission to the Competition and Markets Authority’s call for evidence.
Perspective: Focus on faith
Colin Bailey challenges us all to engage with the subject of culture and belief in the workplace
Regulars:
The trade mark 20: December
Isadora Schumacher is looking forward to a new life in London
Insider: December 2020
Our latest news and updates of interest.
Our events
An action-packed year is in the offing
Case comments:
Grey area gains ground
Adrian Dykes fills us in on why the idea of descriptiveness was not quite black and white. T-133/19, Off-White LLC v EUIPO, General Court, 25th June 2020
A view to TKIL
Emily Scott outlines a decision that got decidedly personal. [2020] EWHC 2078 (Ch), Turbo-K Ltd v Turbo-K International Ltd & Others, High Court, 5th August 2020
Door closes on butler mark
Presumption of patronage was the problem, reports Robecca Davey. O/404/20, Grant Harrold v The Lord Chamberlain, UK IPO, 24th August 2020
Karma confusion
The consumer would see the connection, explains Gavin Stenton. O/442/20, KARMA (Opposition), UK IPO, 11th September 2020
The power of perception
Users didn’t see origin in the colour of their inhalers, Dale Carter discovers. T‑187/19, Glaxo Group Ltd v EUIPO, General Court, 9th September 2020
How to throw a case
Unfortunate remarks helped to cement the invalidity argument, reports Sarah Williams. 33 843 C (Invalidity), Full Colour Black Ltd v Pest Control Office Ltd, EUIPO, 14th September 2020
Extra arguments aren’t effective
Confusion was the clincher for a bourbon clash, writes Charlotte Wilding. [2020] EWHC 2424 (Ch), Sazerac Brands LLC & Others v Liverpool Gin Distillery Ltd & Others, 10th September 2020
No trivial pursuit
Daniel Ramos digs into what constitutes accessory status. [2020] EWHC 2094 (Pat), BMW AG v Premier Alloy Wheels (UK) Ltd & Others, High Court, 30th July 2020
Case turns on common ground
Emmy Hunt reveals why an overlapping public played a key part. T-669/19, Novomatic AG v EUIPO, General Court, 9th September 2020
Fit to move forward
A healthy meals business clears the first hurdle in its series of claims, writes Nicole Marshall. [2020] EWHC 2069 (IPEC), Fit Kitchen Ltd & Anor v Scratch Meals Ltd, High Court (IPEC), 29th July 2020
Perception position pays off
Trecina Sookhoo describes why Dior’s case was dismissed. O/379/20, PRETTY SAVAGE (Opposition), UK IPO, 4th August 2020
Making room for Messi
Dominic Farnsworth analyses a ruling that left the way clear for a footballer’s mark. C-449/18P, EUIPO v Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, CJEU, 17th September 2020 (joined with C-474/18P, J.M.-E.V. e Hijos SRL v Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini & EUIPO)
Moon Boot fails to land
Lack of distinctiveness crashed this case, says Catherine Byfield. R 1093/2019-1, Tecnica Group SpA v Zeitneu GmbH, EUIPO, 18th May 2020
Clearly cannabis
Ciara Hughes clarifies why a claim of word play wasn’t convincing. R 2651/2019-1, Cannubis (Appeal), EUIPO, 31st August 2020
