Category Archives: Trademark Law

Changing the Name of an IP Rights Holder or Applicant

Company names change, individuals marry, corporate structures are reorganised. Whenever the holder or applicant of an IP right is affected, the relevant register should be updated promptly. This article summarises what to bear in mind when recording a name change … Continue reading

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When Youth Protection Meets Artistic Freedom — and Where IP Law Comes In

I. What Happened Uwe Boll’s action thriller “Citizen Vigilante“ (starring Armie Hammer) tells the story of a wealthy businessman who, after a violent crime against his mother, loses faith in the rule of law and turns to vigilante justice. Boll presents the … Continue reading

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Abstract (Single-Colour) Trademarks and Their Case Law in Germany

A single colour can be a trademark – Telekom’s magenta, Langenscheidt’s yellow and the Sparkassen red are well-known examples. At the same time, the abstract, contourless colour mark is one of the hardest marks to obtain and to enforce. This … Continue reading

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EUIPO: Discrimination of Applicants and Proprietors Based on Their Place of Business or Nationality

We have recently encountered a concerning situation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) regarding the transfer of ownership of a registered EU trademark. It appears that the EUIPO is discriminating against customers based on their place of business, … Continue reading

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BREXIT: Implications for EU Trademarks and EU Designs

The United Kingdom (UK) officially withdrew from the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020, and is currently in a transition period that will end on December 31, 2020. During this transition period, registered EU trademarks (EUTMs) and registered EU … Continue reading

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Corona: Closures and Extensions of Time Limits at Patent and Trademark Offices

In the following table, closures and extensions of time limits at the most important patent and trademark offices are summarized (as of April 21, 2020): Country Two letter code Status Notification Canada CA Extension of time limits until May 1, … Continue reading

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German Patent and Trade Mark Office: The German Trade Mark Law Modernization Act (MaMoG) took effect on January 14, 2019

The German Trade Mark Law Modernization Act (MaMoG) took effect on January 14, 2019. This law implements the 2015 EU Trade Mark Directive in Germany. This has the following practical implications for those applying for German trade marks. 1. Introduction … Continue reading

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Brexit: Impact on European Patents, Trademarks and Designs

On June 23, 2016, a referendum will be held in Britain to decide whether or not Britain should leave or remain in the European Union (EU). In the event of a majority voting for a “leave” (“Brexit“, a portmanteau combining … Continue reading

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OHIM: New Office Name and EU Trade Mark Regulation

The Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) announced in a recent press release that the Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2424 of the European Parliament and the Council (EU trade mark regulation) dated December 16, 2015 will enter into force … Continue reading

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Federal Supreme Court Confirms Nivea Blue

Beiersdorf AG, manufacturer of Nivea, won a ruling from Germany’s Federal Supreme Court (BGH) that gives it a second chance to defend its trademark for the blue color on its Nivea products in a legal battle with Unilever NV (court case … Continue reading

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