IP hub
"Goodwill Hunting": Latest on Cybersquatting
In a recent Court of Appeal decision, it has been held that cybersquatting (ie the practice of registering well-known brand names as internet domains to later resell them at profit) does not in and of itself amount to passing off. A claimant is still required to demonstrate relevant goodwill in the name or mark relied upon. It follows that an unused mark (which, by its very nature, lacks sufficient goodwill) is incapable of supporting an action for passing off based on cybersquatting.
Read moreBMW Rides to Victory
BMW, the well-known manufacturer of cars, motorcycles and engines, secured summary judgment in respect of its claim for trade mark infringement and passing off arising out of the registration of a UK company under the BMW name.
Read moreHigh Court on the Pulse with RCDs
In the fight between two wearable sports-tech giants, PulseOn v Garmin, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that the High Court correctly applied the test for infringement of Registered Community Designs and that Garmin's sports watch did not infringe PulseOn's design.
Read more2019 TerraLex guide to navigating cross-border copyright rules
We are delighted to present the TerraLex Cross‑Border Copyright Guide 2019, the fourth edition of this invaluable guide.
Read moreBig 'Mac' Surprise
In a decision that will send shock waves to many brand owners, particularly in the food and drink industry, the EU Cancellation Division has revoked McDonald's EUTM for 'Big Mac' in its entirety, even in respect of sandwiches, despite being McDonald's signature product worldwide.
Read moreAll that glitters is not "Gold"
How does the court calculate what a reasonable license fee is, and what conduct will be sufficient for the court to award additional damages under section 92(2) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998?
Read moreA battle between two warriors
The IPEC has recently considered the protection afforded to trade marks with an average level of distinctiveness.
Read more"Loss" in Translation
IPEC judge lifts costs cap of £25,000 for an inquiry as to damages
Read moreCJEU proves even easy copyright cases make bad law
Commentary on the recent CJEU decision in Renckhoff C-161/17 about the communication to the public right.
Read more"Content is fire, Social Media is gasoline" – Court of Appeal considers the challenges for interim injunctions in the digital age
The Court of Appeal has upheld part of an interim injunction granted to Australian sportswear company Frank Industries which restrained Nike from using the sign LDNR in its “Nothing Beats a Londoner” advertising campaign.
Read moreChristian Louboutin's red sole walks all over the Trade Mark Directive shape exclusion
Christian Louboutin has been in and out of courts all over the world in the last few years over his iconic red-soled shoes. In the latest instalment of his litigation adventures, the Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") has given a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Article 3 of Directive 2008/95/EC ("Trade Mark Directive"), which covers grounds for refusal or invalidity of signs in respect of their shape. But does this ruling really take us anywhere?
Read more"Good faith" clause rehabilitates failing breach of confidence claim Health and Case Management Ltd v Physiotherapy Network Ltd [2018] EWCH 869 (QB)
This case provides an interesting example of a "good faith" clause providing protection for misuse of data in a situation where a confidential information clause failed to sufficiently protect against misuse of information.
Read moreCJEU asks whether 'Glen' triggers an image of 'Scotch Whisky' in geographical indications case
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on the interpretation of Article 16(a) to (c) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks.
Read moreNew trade secrets law to drive breach of confidence claims
This article explores what changes might need to be made to the existing protections given to trade secrets and in particular, the impact this might have in the insurance market.
Read moreClaimant gets its fingers 'pricked' in IPEC passing off claim
What's the difference between a tattoo and a cactus? This isn't the start of a bad joke, but a serious question that was considered in front of Her Honour Judge Clarke in a recent passing off case in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. It turns out that – unsurprisingly – the differences between a tattoo and a cactus are so great that the Claimant's claim for passing off failed.
Read moreHigh Court does not accommodate "Easy" trade mark and passing off claims W3 Ltd v easyGroup Ltd and another [2018] EWHC 7(Ch) 12 January 2018
In a judgment highlighting the inherent risks of litigation, the High Court has dismissed a claim for actionable threats of trade mark infringement against easyGroup Ltd in respect of the use of W3 Ltd's use of "EasyRoommate", as well as dismissing easyGroup's counterclaim claiming passing off and infringement of various trade marks containing the prefix "easy".
Read moreSky judge kicks bad faith questions to the ECJ
In a significant decision in Sky v Skykick [2018] EWHC 155, Mr Justice Arnold has referred a number of questions to the CJEU on bad faith and the clarity and precision of trade mark specifications. The CJEU's response may have significant implications for trade mark owners – particularly those holding very broad registrations.
Read more2018 TerraLex guide to navigating cross-border copyright rules
Drawing together contributions from copyright experts in 21 territories we have found are key to global businesses, this guide explores questions regarding legislation and regulation, ownership, infringement, remedies, enforcement and copyright reform on a country-by-country basis.
Read moreCourt of Appeal drives through London Taxi's hopes of enforcing protection for its shape marks
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal against a High Court decision that 3D trade marks for models of London black taxis were invalid for lack of distinctive character.1
Read moreTV formats are the real 'Minute Winner': High Court confirms TV formats can be protected as artistic works
In a recent judgment, the High Court has provided helpful clarification on a particularly grey area of IP law by confirming that TV formats can be protected by copyright as artistic works.
Read moreGetting to the heart of database right and copyright
Getting to the heart of database right and copyright: Technomed Ltd and another v Bluecrest Health Screening Ltd and another [2017] EWHC 2142 (Ch), 24 August 2017 It's not often that a case features successful claims for both copyright infringement and database right infringement but this is one of those cases.
Read moreAvoid getting in a spin: Lessons for managing future Registered Designs cases - Spin Master Limited v PMS International Group [2017] EWHC 1477
It is relatively rare for a case management conference ("CMC") to be of sufficient interest to be the subject of an article. However, these proceedings raised general issues of how to achieve short, cost-effective hearings where one or perhaps both parties were preparing for a much longer trial.
Read moreSpare parts and intellectual property: the distinction between "informative use" and "misleading use"
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal against a decision of the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court ("IPEC") that a repair company had not infringed certain BMW trade marks.
Read moreFlagging the risk of a new type of trade mark infringement
The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court has recently ruled that linking an own brand product listing on Amazon to a competitor's branded listing for the same product amounts to trade mark infringement (and passing off) in a dispute over flagpoles.
Read moreUK Court grants first 'live' blocking order against streaming servers
The Football Association Premier League (FAPL) recently won its application for a court order that the six main retail internet service providers block access to streaming servers until the end of the 2016/2017 Premier League Season. The application covered live streaming only – i.e. it only applies when those servers are streaming infringing content.
Read moreCourt of Appeal rejects claim for misuse of confidential information in TV format
The Court of Appeal has confirmed a decision that confidential information was not misused by a large telecommunications organisation when it developed a television programme format with multiple similarities to one pitched to (and rejected by) it by individuals from the music industry a year previously.
Read moreA punishment to fit the crime – CJEU allows punitive damages in IP infringement cases
In a recent decision, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) ruled that the EU Enforcement Directive does not preclude the legal provision of punitive damages in infringement cases in EU Member States.
Read moreThe Survey Says! EU General Court decides on requirements for evidence on distinctive character
A decision by the General Court highlights the requirement for comprehensive evidence of genuine use when seeking to prove acquired distinctiveness in relation to 3D marks in the EU.
Read moreTerraLex Cross-Border Copyright Guide 2017
We are delighted to present the TerraLex Cross-Border Guide to Copyright 2017.
Read moreNvidia sweats over Hardware Labs' "threats"
Nvidia’s attempt to bring a groundless threats action against Hardware Labs in the English High Court has failed.
Read moreCourt of Appeal confirms criminal offences cover the sale of "grey" goods
The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) has recently confirmed that the sale of "grey" goods can be a criminal offence under the Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA).
Read moreConfidential information "oiled" progress of new product development
When is information confidential? A recent case gave cause for the English High Court to clarify.
Read moreFair dealing defence in copyright infringement – a key summary
A recent key decision on fair dealing defence impacts reporting current events in copyright infringement claims.
Read more15% increase in counterfeit goods seized in 2015
According to the "Report on EU Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights: Results at the EU Border 2015", the number of goods that were detained at the EU's external borders for suspected infringement of an IP right grew by an estimated 15% in 2015 compared with 2014.
Read moreWhat do you know about hyperlinking to infringing content online?
CJEU clarifies position on linking to infringing content - here's what you need to know
Read moreHow ISP blocking orders provide a new and welcome form of redress against e-commerce counterfeiting
Ciara Cullen, Partner in IP and Technology, tackles the topic of counterfeiting online, how it's impacting sectors such as retail and pharmaceuticals, and the new remedy available to brand owners.
Read moreISPs' appeal is "blocked"
In a judgment handed down today, the Court of Appeal, led by Lord Justice Kitchin, has overwhelmingly rejected the appeal by the five largest ISPs and upheld the High Court decision to grant Richemont a blocking order requiring those ISPs in the UK to prevent access to various third party websites from advertising and selling goods which infringe Richemont's trade mark rights.
Read moreBrexit - a legal analysis: IP rights
IP rights in the UK are all influenced and moulded to a greater or lesser degree by European law.
Read moreComic Enterprises remains gleeful as CofA upholds series marks
The Court of Appeal recently ruled on an outstanding aspect of the appeal brought by Twentieth Century Fox in the "Glee" trade mark dispute.
Read moreMove to unified European regime as trade secrets directive adopted by EU Parliament
Earlier this month, on 14 April 2016, the draft European Directive on the protection of trade secrets against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure was passed by the European Parliament (EP) at a first reading.
Read moreSupreme Court sends Trunki packing for good
In the latest instalment of the ongoing saga involving the Trunki case, the Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by Magmatic.
Read morePirates and popcorn: rise of site-blocking injunctions in EU
Whilst obtaining blocking injunctions against internet service providers (ISPs) have become an established practice in the UK, particularly within the film and music industry, the position is less clear cut elsewhere in the EU.
Read moreComic Enterprises feel gleeful after CofA upholds trade mark infringement
This recent hearing is the latest instalment in the "Glee" trade mark dispute between Comic Enterprises and Twentieth Century Fox.
Read moreTerraLex Cross-Border Copyright Guide 2016
We are delighted to present our Cross-Border Copyright Guide 2016.
Read moreEC's 2015 comms on copyright– appetiser to 2016's main course
As part of its Digital Single Market Strategy the European Commission released a Communication entitled "Towards a modern, more European copyright framework" on 9 December 2015.
Read moreStuck in the middle with (section) 52
IPO Consultation on the transitional arrangements for the repeal of Section 52 of the CDPA
Read moreSupreme Court clarifies law on implied terms
The Supreme Court has clarified the law on implied terms: in order for a term to be implied it must be necessary for business efficacy or alternatively be so obvious as to go without saying.
Read moreDetention cases up as EU customs seizes €617m worth of goods
According to the "Report on EU Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights 2014" published by the European Commission, there has been a rise in the number of interceptions of infringing goods by customs at external EU borders.
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