Trademarks & Domain Names

As the excitement builds for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, companies across the globe are eager to share their enthusiasm and support for the world's largest sporting event. But, is it possible to do that legally if you are not an official sponsor of the Games?

During the last few years, there have been some major world events causing seismic shifts in the global economy and the landscape in which we live and work. As another year starts, it is a good time to reflect on the changes facing the IP sector. Vanessa Harrow outlines three changes that are likely to affect IP owners this year.  

In November 2023, the EU General Court considered the likelihood of confusion between the trademark application for 'Nivea Skin-Identical Q10' and the existing 'SkinIdent' registration, as Florence Chapin explains.

Negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have reached a political agreement on the reform of EU Geographical Indications for agricultural products, wines and spirits. Florence Chapin outlines its implications.  

Who is liable for the sale of counterfeit goods on e-commerce platforms, such as online marketplaces? In our 14 November webinar, our experts took a deep dive into EU case law on liability for the sale of counterfeit goods online and share monitoring and enforcement best practices for online marketplace brand protection.

Amazon is to become the first online marketplace to join the IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP), a centralised platform created by EUIPO to exchange information related to IP enforcement. 

Despite the amount of thought and creativity behind the ‘look’ of a product, there is often a lack of clarity on how to effectively protect a product’s appearance or packaging. Julia Schefman set out the options for protecting a design, including the benefits of a cumulative approach.

On 1 January 2024, new rules will come into effect concerning the UK IP Address for Service. With recent updates to regulations for IP professionals and also the end of supremacy of CJEU case law in the United Kingdom, Luke Portnow explains what's changing and what it means for IP rights holders and trademark professionals operating in the UK. 

Conflicting older trademark registrations may not necessarily block the registration of your chosen brand name. Noé Himmelreich explains how an in-use verification search can help you to assess legal and commercial risk.

You have a fantastic idea for your company and launch it with a beautiful and striking brand name and/or logo, but did you remember to check that your chosen name is available first?

Which variations of use are authorised for figurative trademarks, especially ones registered in black and white? A recent EUIPO ruling has helped to illustrate what constitutes a “permissible variation”, as Marianne Tissot explains. 

Patents, trademarks, designs and other forms of intellectual property (IP) play a key role in the success of all modern businesses.