Novagraaf Team

For successful companies, growth rarely occurs by chance. Expansion requires sharp choices, market insight and the ability to turn assets – such as trademarks and technology – into competitive advantage.

In sectors defined by rapid cycles and shifting consumer expectations, such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), IP is not just about protection, it’s about acceleration. The ability to secure, align, and commercialise IP at pace is central to how companies bring new products and services to market, and how they grow. 

How distinct are the retail services of shops that offer only one brand's products (such as flagship stores) from those that sell products from multiple brands (such as department stores)? This was the question at the heart of the recent Rituals trademark class decision at the CJEU, as Sven Valstar explains.