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In response to recent uncertainty around the need for a UK address for service (AFS) for UK trademarks and designs, the UKIPO issued a Tribunal Practice Notice on 25 January 2023. Vanessa Harrow sets out the changes and offers practical advice for affected rights holders.
Read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about when a UK address for service is required for UK trademarks and designs.
A November 2022 decision by the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office addresses several issues relating to the sufficiency of disclosure in patent descriptions.
When seeking to describe a particular characteristic, intended purpose or function of a product, you can reference another brand’s trademark. However, there can be a fine line between such informative use and trademark infringement.
The unitary patent and Unified Patent Court (UPC) system are scheduled to come into being on 1 June 2023, with the Sunrise period scheduled to begin on 1 March 2023. No further extensions of these dates are expected.
A thorough review of your trademark portfolio now will put both your IP rights and your business in a strong position for the year to come. Assess your registrations for strength, accuracy and cost with the help of our three-step process.
Yet another country has deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid System for international trademark registrations, with Belize joining the list of Madrid System countries as of 24 February 2023.
With the imminent entry into force of the Unified Patent Court Agreement, the countdown has begun to opt-out of the jurisdiction of the new European court. Marie-Noëlle de la Fouchardière explains what can be opted out, by whom and how to simplify the management of opt-out declarations.
In November 2022, the European Commission published a proposal to update current EU design law to adapt it to the digital age. Noa Rubingh outlines the proposed changes and the road to implementation.
The Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks allows brand owners to apply and maintain protection in the different member states of the system via one single procedure, in one language and one set of fees. However, levels of protection can vary and the process is not without its shortfalls.
A recent finding of invalidity against sports brand Puma provides a valuable reminder of the need to obtain design registration within the designated 12-month grace period – and to be careful of accidental publication online.