Blog
Brand Protection for Slogans?
Slogans enjoy a solid position within the advertising landscape. The economic value of a slogan can rise into spheres which are usually only achieved by well-known brands. The significance is further underlined by regular press reports on legal disputes which arise out of use of slogans. It is therefore evident that product managers have an […]
Read moreProtected Geographical Indications: Germany’s highest civil court rules on Black Forest Ham
The highest German civil court – the Federal Supreme Court of Germany (BGH) – has ruled that Schwarzwälder Schinken (“Black Forest Ham”) may be sliced and packaged outside the Black Forest without losing the right to use the according protected geographical indication (judgment of 3/09/2020, file number: I ZB 72/19). The long-standing packaging dispute started […]
Read moreGermany: Amended rules to Unfair Competition Law
Substantial amendments of the “Gesetz gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb” (short “UWG”) – the German codification of the laws of unfair competition – entered into force in December 2020. The modifications are meant to strengthen fair competition and to prevent so-called abusive warning letters. The changes relate in particular to the locus standi, the requirements for […]
Read moreUPDATE: Trademarks & Designs after BREXIT
After the UK left the EU both parties agreed on a withdrawal agreement which comprised an interim phase. This BREXIT transition period excluded changes to European Union Trademarks (EUTMs) and Registered Community Designs (RCDs). It will come to an end on 31 December 2020 and IP rights owners have to get prepared for changes which […]
Read more.shop, .vip, .online: New generic Top Level Domains (new gTLDs) on the rise
Back in 2012, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) agreed on the stepwise introduction of new generic Top Level Domains (new gTLDs). Around 1.180 new domain names such as .blog, .music, .museum and .luxury have become available for registration of second level domains since then and their importance is growing. In April […]
Read moreTrademarks & Designs: Corona-Update on proceedings before Trademark Offices
The corona crisis is also affecting proceedings before Trademark Offices. Below we summarize the relevant updates regarding pending deadlines for proceedings before the German Trademark and Patent Office (DPMA), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Which implications has COVID-19 with regards to deadlines set by the Office […]
Read moreeBook piracy on the rise
For a long time online piracy has been associated with music, movies and software. But the popularity of e-readers has also led to a growing eBook and ePaper piracy trend. This is seen as a major hindrance to further growth of digital sales and there is not yet a consistent approach to fighting it. It […]
Read moreThe Power of Green Branding
Brand owners have been focusing on sustainability for some years and the topic has gained further importance in the last months. New trademarks are therefore developed, existing amended and companies also look for completely new ways of legal protection. One may think of the registration of ordinary trademarks, eco-labels or the use of certification marks. […]
Read moreBREXIT: Implications on trademarks & designs
31 January 2020 marked the UK’s departure from the European Union. Based on the withdrawal agreement reached between the EU and the UK, there will be a transitional period until 31 December 2020 for which EU law remains applicable to and in the UK. Brexit-related changes regarding trademarks and designs will therefore only enter into […]
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