In China, it is notoriously difficult to deal with trade mark squatting whereby someone registers another business’ trade marks in bad faith. Once the squatter owns the trade mark registration, they can then sue the rightful owner should they use the mark for their goods/services in China or – alternatively – extort payment for a licence…
DetailsBoth of my older sons studied physics at university. One was mostly concerned with all things massive and astro and now spends his working life in an aluminium tube high above the earth flying people from point A to point B. The other concerns himself with all things micro or nano and is holed up…
DetailsCatchy title I hear you say, well yes, protected geographical indications are catchy, so catchy that they can be a complete block to your trade mark application, even if the mark you’re trying to register isn’t identical. This is what happened to the applicants for the EU trade mark TOSCORO. They applied for this mark…
DetailsWe all love the idea of a celebrity trade mark dispute of titanic proportions – a veritable clash of the Kylies. The reality of what has gone down in the last few weeks (despite recent reports in mainstream media) is very different. Better the Devil You Know – The devil is in the detail The…
DetailsA US court has held, that Facebook obtained virtual reality software from ZeniMax, after they acquired Oculus back in 2014. It was held, that Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Oculus breached his non-disclosure agreement (NDA) when he left Zenimax, taking his software code with him. As a result, Facebook have been ordered to pay £395 million…
DetailsHave you ever been out and considered the wine list, ordered a drink in a bar or restaurant or bought a drink in a shop and thought: ‘I wonder if there is a trade mark infringement issue here?’ The EU General Court had to do just that in a recent case between Anton Riemerschmid Weinbrennerei…
DetailsMy favourite TV lawyer has to be Bob Odenkirk who plays Jimmy McGill in Breaking Bad prequel ‘Better Call Saul’. In his own series we find out that he is so much more than an adventurous dresser with a highly unusual relationship with the law. He is a witty and complex character juggling the demands…
DetailsThe United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) recently released its “Fast Facts 2017” booklet summarising the economic impact intellectual property rights have had, and the increased prevalence of UK businesses relying on such rights, over the last few years. The full booklet is here if you need some bedtime reading: Fast Facts 2017, but we’ve…
Details#BriffaCelebrates – Music Industries Association (MIA) – “CREATING AND ENCOURAGING MUSIC MAKING” Briffa have been working with the Music Industries Association for 10 years and we think they are fab! MIA is the only UK trade body that represents the interests of the musical instruments industry, including suppliers, retailers, publishers and teaching institutes. Member…
DetailsLet’s say that you and I are friends, we’ve known each other for ages, we trust each other and recently we’ve decided to work together on a business venture. Maybe we’re going to jointly own a business, maybe I’m going to make some goods for you, or maybe you’re going to design a logo for…
DetailsConor McGregor’s trade mark battles This ‘notorious’ Irishman is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion and former UFC Featherweight Champion. His most recent battles are in the trade marks arena where he is currently seeking to secure trade mark protection for his name and his nickname – “The Notorious”. In early July 2016, McGregor (through his…
DetailsThank you to all our guests, old friends and new for making our Briffa Art Party such a success. We hope you had a great night and look forward to working with you this year. Special thanks goes to Adrienne for organising the event. Clare for shooting and editing the video. Emry our guitarist and…
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