EU
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News & opinion
Frigidaire: EU General Court casts a chill on the notion of genuine use
Decision in 'Frigidaire' provides a reminder of the importance, yet difficulty, of quantifying and assessing genuine use. Trademark owners cannot be reminded enough of the vigilance that is necessary in this area.
News & opinion
Ferrari back on the grid with Testarossa trademark
The European Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has found that Ferrari can retain the trademark rights to the Testarossa brand, even though production of the iconic sports car was discontinued in the 1990s, as Theo Visser explains.
Brexit
Brexit and IP: Preparing for new in-use requirements
The UK’s departure from the EU at the end of this year will change the territorial requirements for genuine use of EU and UK trademarks, as Vanessa Harrow explains.
Hot topics
Managing the priority disconnect between US and European patents
Protecting patentable innovations in the US and EU is the foundation of many corporate patent portfolios. However, a first patent filing in the US can cause issues obtaining subsequent protection in Europe, as Nadège Lagneau explains.
Wine & spirits
There's only one Van Gogh… for alcoholic drinks
In its unequivocal refusal of 'The Van Gogh' EU trademark application, the European IP Office (EUIPO) has confirmed its previous rulings on the likelihood of confusion between 'fruits extracts, alcoholic' and 'alcoholic beverages’, as Clémence Guilbert explains.
Brexit
Brexit and IP: Preparing for the end of the transition period
On 31 December, the Brexit transition period will come to an end and the UK will officially leave the EU. Vanessa Harrow looks in detail at the implications for trademark and design rights, including ongoing contentious proceedings.
News & opinion
Need to know: Double patenting in Europe
An interim decision (T 0318/14, G 4/9), recently published in the Official Journal of the European Patent Office (EPO), has generated a number of comments from interested third parties on the topic of double patenting. This is a good time to take stock of this issue, says Martin Kohrs.
Publications
Brexit: A checklist of IP action points
Brexit took place on 31 January 2020, but what happens next? Download our handy checklist of IP actions to take during and after the Brexit transition period.
News & opinion
Banksy, anonymity and the art of trademark protection
Banksy has failed to block a greetings card company from using one of his famous artworks, after the EUIPO agreed that the secretive street artist had no interest in commercially exploiting the trademark he had registered to protect it.
News & opinion
Drilling down into designs
Safeguarding product designs via national, EU and international systems can provide companies with an important and cost-effective route to IP protection. However, systems for registering design rights do come with specific rules and restrictions.
Hot topics
Craftwork: Will we soon see GIs for sombrero hats and Bruges lace?
Negotiations between the EU and Mexico on an updated Free Trade Agreement could potentially open the door to non-agricultural geographical indications (GIs). Time will tell if the EU is ready to embrace protection for handicrafts however.