EU

The Comité Champagne has successfully challenged the attempt by Czech company Breadway to trademark the term ‘Champagnola’ for use on baked goods, as Manon Brodin explains.

A robust anti-counterfeiting strategy is crucial for all brands as the trade in fakes continues to grow. To mark this year's World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, we set out advice on how to get started.

A recent case examined whether a rights holder could enforce a trademark within the registration grace period, even if the right is subsequently revoked for non-use. We set out the ruling and explain the importance of regular portfolio reviews to ensure valuable marks are in use.

In Gömböc, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has provided some welcome guidance on trademarking designs in the EU.

The current health crisis has inspired inventors from a wide range of industries and organisations to look for ways to help, including meeting the urgent need for protective equipment in hospitals.

On 29 April 2020, we brought together a team of experts to explore the risks and opportunities posed to both brands and consumers online, in general and also in the context of new threats caused by our transition to remote working.

Websites that provide a platform for third parties to sell products now represent some of the world’s most successful businesses. But, the fast-moving nature of e-commerce means that issues around trademark infringement are only now being addressed.

The full impact of COVID-19 on businesses, individuals and world economies is still unknown, but where some see challenges, others see opportunities or chances to help, as Novagraaf's Vanessa Harrow explains.

Although not impossible, seeking trademark protection for slogans in the European Union can prove difficult. What can be learned from those slogans that have achieved success?

The Unified Patent Court Agreement received a further blow this month after Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court declared the Act establishing the system null and void on constitutional grounds.

Earlier this year, the EPO published its decision setting out the reasons for its refusal of two European patent applications in which an AI system was designated as the inventor. 

Despite holding a EU collective trademark, the EU General Court ruled that ‘Halloumi’ was too descriptive, and thus lacking in distinctive character, to successfully oppose a EU trademark application for ‘BBQloumi’. Now, the CJEU has set aside that decision.