It is crucial to act promptly when submitting objections (or oppositions) to challenge potentially conflicting trademark applications. But, what is the opposition procedure – and how can brand owners make best use of it to protect their trademarks? Vanessa Harrow outlines the process.
We recently set out guidance on marking products with patent and design numbers, including examining the benefits and risks of doing so. Here, we look at packaging and product marking from the trademark perspective.
As social media becomes an everyday part of corporate marketing practice, there has been a notable increase in hashtag-based brand names. Stormzy’s label #Merky Records (as listed with hashtag at Companies House) is just one example of this growing trend. But how registrable are such names as trademarks?
It is good practice to monitor trademark registries for potentially infringing trademark applications. The challenge is in developing the right watching strategy to avoid being swamped with results. Trademark Attorney Vanessa Harrow offers some advice.
A recent spat over a recipe image used on Instagram highlights the importance both of clearing images for use before posting, and of protecting your own images using copyright symbols and watermarks, as Claire Jones explains.
Fans of Federer at this year’s Wimbledon may be wondering why he’s no longer sporting the distinctive ‘RF’ logo on his tennis whites. That’s because the trademark is actually owned by his former sponsor Nike.
The need to file evidence of use can crop up in many cases and the requirement to show historic use can cause problems for businesses. Failure to provide adequate evidence could have a devastating impact on a case. Novagraaf’s Vanessa Harrow explains why preparation is key and provides some best practice advice.
It takes time, resources and money to create and launch distinctive and effective brands. But how can you be sure that the brand name you have chosen is really yours to use?
Tomorrow (15 June) is the UK’s national beer day, Beer Day Britain. In preparation for the nationwide communal cheers planned for 7pm, we take a look at some of the trademark issues around craft beer names.
As the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants a trademark right to Play-Doh to protect its distinctive smell, Novagraaf’s Trecina Surti looks at the challenges of registering scent marks in the EU.
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.
Novagraaf’s Trecina Surti examines how the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) approached a recent high-profile trademark dispute between two doctors.