Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has applied for an EU trademark for her name. It is common for celebrities to trademark their name. For example, Greta Garbo, Ed Sheeran and Lionel Messi are all registered trademarks in the EU. EU trademark GRETA THUNBERG covers, among...
Insights
Can you use another company’s trademark?
Trademark right means that the owner is entitled to prevent others from using the same or a similar trademark with respect to the same or similar products. The Coca-Cola Company, for example, could prevent another soft drink manufacturer from using the trademark...
Trademarks are forever
Most intellectual property rights, like patents, designs and copyright are temporally limited. Trademarks, however, can exist without any time limitations. In fact, many of today's famous trademarks have been registered already more than a hundred years ago. These...
7 things US companies should know about EU trademarks
Trademark substance and processes are very similar in every country. The basics don't change very much. However, there are many differences between the systems that applicant's should know. Here are seven important and practical things a US company should know about...
Cancelled BIG MAC trademark – where’s the beef?
EUIPO's cancellation division decided last week that McDonald's EU trademark was revoked due to non-use. According to trademark law, if a registered trademark is not used for five years, it can be cancelled for non-use. The reason for this rule is to make sure...
What is an “international trademark”
The basic concept The basic concept is relatively simple. A trademark applicant submits a request for international registration of his trademark to World Intetellectual Property Organization, known as WIPO. WIPO will then forward that single application to all those...
Companies that protect trademarks early on experience higher growth
When Coca-Cola filed their first trademark application on 14 May 1892, they had just barely been incorporated as a company. Fast forward a century and they are one of the world’s most famous brands. According to a new study published by the United States Patent and...
4 common objections to filing a trademark application
Many companies think that registering a trademark is not important. Here are four reasons we hear the most. Reason 1 - We’re too small and it’s too early. Many companies think that trademarks are relevant when the brand is already big and valuable, or that since they...
Essential Trademark Glossary – most important trademark terms explained
Trademark terms can be difficult to understand. Here are about 40 most important terms explained in a simple non-legal manner. Absolute grounds for refusal A trademark must fulfil some basic “absolute” criteria to be accepted. The first is that it contains something...