Insights

What is the scope of protection for a two-letter trademark? Novagraaf’s Frouke Hekker examines the implications of a recent EU General Court ruling.

IP isn’t always the first priority for a business preparing for an IPO. However, the sooner you start thinking about IP assets, the better prepared you’ll be.

Many companies estimate the health and relative worth of their IP portfolios based on size alone. However, those IP rights could be worth far less if the following checks and balances are not also con...

In today’s budget-focused boardrooms, trademark attorneys need to show that the legal rights that protect those brands aren’t unnecessary costs, but instead add value to the business.

Finding a branded product for sale on an online platform is now commonplace, as we are in an era where e-commerce is skyrocketing. But what are the implications for brand owners?

A well-maintained IP portfolio and, just as importantly, a well-maintained record of the IP portfolio can add significant value to a company, as well as making it an attractive proposition.

You can’t escape memes on social media these days, so it’s no surprise to find that corporations are beginning to get in on the act.

In its Decision T 1311/13 of 17 January 2018 (re: EP 1 224 299), the EPO’s Board of Appeal has provided clarification as to late-filed requests in appeal proceedings.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has encountered a setback in its attempt to bar non-Scottish distilleries from using the word ‘Glen’ in their product names.

The judgment of the Court of Cassation of 6 December 2017, in the case between TEVA and MERCK (patent owner), is the outcome of a long and complex affair concerning the nullity of the French part of t...

Danish dairy cooperative Arla has recovered the domain name castellocheese.co following a ruling by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.

AB InBev has announced plans to temporarily rebrand ‘JUPILER’ as ‘BELGIUM’ in support of the ‘Red Devils’, Belgium’s national football team, in the forthcoming 2018 World Cup. Novagraaf examines the t...

In some cases, national registrations may be preferable to European trademark (EUTM) registrations explains Novagraaf’s Florence Chapin.

Novagraaf's Anca Draganescu-Pinawin on the cat that grew and protected a business empire using IP rights.

IP strategy is best considered at the start of research and development (R&D). The first step is choosing the IP approach to take during product development. Mark Suddaby explains the options.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) published its decision in the joined Acacia cases at the end of 2017, providing guidance on how to interpret the Design Regulation’s repair clause.

The final step in the UK joining the Hague Agreement for industrial designs has been completed with the UK instrument of ratification being deposited in Geneva.

Love them or hate them, Crocs footwear has been popular since its launch in 2002 with a number of celebrity endorsements. Inevitably, this popularity has led to a number of copycat designs.

Professor Daryl Lim, keynote speaker at Novagraaf’s January event ‘An Evening at the Embassy’ in Washington, DC, on the importance of fostering understanding and dialogue between IP stakeholders.

Approximately 5% of all the live contested trademark cases before the UK IPO relate to ‘Gleissner’ filings, according to a recent ruling over the mark ‘Alexander’. This latest decision is good news fo...