Recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations have raised the question of whether it is possible to protect social movements’ names or logos with trademarks and try to profit off of them. Another question is, should you? When Derek Chauvin put his knee on the neck of...
Insights
Brexit and trademarks – brief explanation
Most importantly, nothing has changed as of now. All EU trademarks, including new applications, will include the United Kingdom until the end of the transitional period (which will run until 31 December 2020). At the end of the transitional period, all EU trademarks...
Is Greta Thunberg’s trademark heading into hot waters?
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...
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EUIPO's cancellation division decided last week that McDonald's EU trademark was revoked due to non-use.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...