Advance preparation is crucial for any transfer of IP ownership. Yet, no matter how extensive the IP due diligence before a merger or acquisition deal is agreed, the recordal process rarely passes without hitch.
A handy checklist of IP actions to take post pre- and post-Brexit.
The EU has agreed a further extension to 31 October with the option for the UK to leave earlier if the Prime Minister can secure support for the withdrawal deal. Does this mean a no-deal Brexit is now off the table?
Latest joint study by the EU Intellectual Property Office and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates the annual value of international trade in counterfeit and pirated goods to have reached €460 billion by 2016.
Former American rock band Nirvana recently filed an action for copyright infringement against fashion label Marc Jacobs, after it launched its Bootleg Redux Grunge collection, featuring designs that resemble the band’s iconic smiley face.
Social media channels, such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, are overtaking online auction sites as the biggest online platforms for counterfeit activity.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks found to be sufficiently distinct for ‘Iceberg’ trademarks to be allowed to co-exist.
The number of countries and regions joining the international system for trademark registration on the basis of the Madrid Agreement and its Protocol, continues to grow, with Canada the latest country to deposit an instrument of accession at WIPO.
Brand owners have long complained about the ease with which counterfeiters are able to sell fake goods in online sites such as Amazon. Now, the retailer has announced plans to introduce serial numbers and improve automatic detection to curb such sales.
With the next ‘meaningful vote’ delayed until 12 March, pressure has grown on the UK government to exclude no-deal as an option for Brexit – and, if necessary, to request an extension to Article 50. This has resulted in further votes being scheduled for 13 and 14 March. As we wait for the outcome of those votes, our updated Brexit white paper provides a helpful overview of the current situation for IP, and what brand owners can do to prepare themselves whatever the Brexit outcome.
First broadcasted on 13 March 2019, this webinar will explain the status of Brexit negotiations (as of 13 March) and the plans that have been put in place for the cloning of IP rights (including in a ‘no-deal’ scenario).
Marketing teams and their legal advisers naturally differ in their approach to brand name creation. The former often preferring product names that their more risk-averse legal colleagues consider too ‘descriptive’ from a trademark perspective. How do you find the right balance?