UK

Social media networks provide an opportunity to reach and interact with customers in new and, often, more effective ways. But these opportunities are not without risks.

The UK’s Minister for Intellectual Property, Sam Gyimah MP, confirmed on 26 April that the UK has ratified the Unified Patent Court (UPC) agreement.

With Prince Harry set to wed Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018, it will be no surprise that brand owners and retailers will seek to capitalise on the hype and goodwill around the latest royal wedding.

The number of countries and regions joining the international system for trademark registration on the basis of the Madrid Convention and its Protocol, continues to grow.

While the entry into effect of the GDPR at the end of May might be music to the ears of privacy advocates, brand owners and trademark attorneys could be hearing a rather less pleasant tune.

It is now only 12 weeks until the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with the hosts taking on Saudi Arabia match on 14 June. Novagraaf’s Claire Jones examines the IP implications of this headline-grabbing event.

Patents, trademarks, designs and other forms of intellectual property (IP) play a key role in the success of all modern businesses.

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.

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 for affected brand owners, says Novagraaf’s Claire Jones.

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?

Some of you may have noticed that Disney’s new heroine is called Vaiana in most parts of Europe and Moana almost everywhere else. Novagraaf’s Anca Draganescu-Pinawin explains the disparity.