Designs

Counterfeit activity is a threat to all modern businesses, affecting their profits, their reputation and, in some cases, the safety of their consumers. This white paper sets out five steps to success when targeting the trade in fakes, and provides answers to some frequently asked questions

The international systems for trademark and design protection continue to grow with Jamaica the latest country to file instruments of accession.The more countries that join the systems the better it is for companies that operate internationally.

In a recent judgement, the General Court of the EU considered whether a design application filed in bad faith would automatically render it invalid. Koen de Winder explains the arguments and the reasoning behind the General Court’s decision.

According to WIPO’s latest research, global trademark registrations soared in 2020, while patent and design filings rebounded quickly from the pandemic’s initial impact on application numbers. We summarise some of the key findings from the 2021 World Intellectual Property Indicators Report (WIPI) report.

Female technology (FemTech) is becoming big business with health and wellness apps, software and diagnostic products promising to revolutionise women’s health. Asma Mejri sets out strategic IP advice for FemTech start-ups.

International registration systems are an important route for the protection of designs. Anne-Catherine Schihin introduces a new tool to protect design rights in the countries of the former USSR.

Owners of registered EU rights benefited from the automatic cloning of those rights onto the UK register at the end of the Brexit transition period, but pending rights were not similarly converted. Luke Portnow sets out the steps needed to be taken by 30 September to protect such marks in the UK.

The last year has been a testing one for many sectors, not least of all the hospitality sector, which has had a huge knock-on effect on the drinks industry. Drinks brands have been forced to diversify their products and ranges and implement new strategies to tackle the many challenges they have faced.

Belarus has become the latest country to deposit its instrument of accession to the International Design system, following Mexico last year. The growth of the system is good news for businesses operating internationally, says Frouke Hekker.

A recent judgment concerning LEGO bricks has been reported in the news as confirmation of design protection for the popular children's toy. Unfortunately, many of these media reports rushed to the wrong conclusions, says Esther Schnepper. She outlines what can actually be deduced from the March 2021 judgment by the EU’s General Court.

At the end of 2020, the UK government announced a change to the rules of representation before the UKIPO. New trademark, design and patent applications and contentious actions at the UKIPO now require a 'UK address for service' to be appointed.

Download our factsheet for an overview of registered and unregistered design rights in the UK and EU following Brexit, and our top tips for brand owners on building an effective design right strategy.