Trademarks & Domain Names

The 2025 Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) will take place in San Diego, California, USA from 17-21 May. If you're attending, why not schedule a meeting with Novagraaf's delegation of IP experts?

Find answers to frequently asked questions about domain name protection, registration, domain names and trademarks, domain name management services and how to handle domain name disputes.

We hope to see you at the Spring Conference of the Pharmaceutical Trademark Group (PTMG) on 24 and 25 March. 

In January 2025, the French Football Federation (FFF) successfully opposed an EU trademark depicting a highly stylised rooster similar to its distinctive logo. Florence Chapin examines the EUIPO rooster trademark opposition decision, the EU General Court's ruling and the implications for holders of figurative marks.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has recently updated its customer service standards, outlining key performance metrics to ensure efficiency and transparency in handling IP applications and disputes. However, with waiting times getting longer and longer, Mona Asgari offers advice for applicants on navigating the UKIPO trademark backlog.

The Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) became the official source for accessing registration data for generic Top-level Domain (gTLD) names on 28 January 2025, replacing the now obsolete WHOIS service. Marc-Emmanuel Mellet explains what this means in practice. 

The recent dispute over the Chanel N°5 trademark raises the question of whether you can register a number as a trademark in the EU. Clarisse Merdy provides some helpful guidance on numeric trademarks and figurative trademark rights.

Our latest white paper explores the strategic importance of domain names and provides practical approaches for mitigating risks and maximising value.

Watch an exclusive webinar where our experts Alissia Shchichka and Marc-Emmanuel Mellet will guide you through best practices for managing and defending your domain portfolio.

In the latest legal wrangle between a brand owner and a supermarket chain in the UK, the Thatchers Cider company has successfully challenged Aldi’s lookalike Taurus Cider. Farhan Kazi provides the background to the trademark dispute and explains why it is good news for market leaders.

If a trademark becomes so common that consumers start using the original brand name as a generic term, you might see it as a compliment. However, from a legal perspective, this type of trademark dilution can undermine your rights to that brand name.

Meeting the requirements for trademark distinctiveness is vital for all types of trademarks in the EU but arguing that a mark is distinctive can be even harder in the case of non-traditional trademarks, such as colours and shapes.