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The straw that broke the camel's CRYPTOBACK? Trade mark survives validity challenge
The IP Enterprise Court (IPEC) has enabled smaller businesses to fight back against perceived intellectual property (IP) injustices. Its...
Apr 17, 20212 min read


Who owns copyright works that an employee creates at home?
One of the highlights of the pandemic has been the opportunity to catch up on a lifetime's worth of TV. Fortunately, there are some truly...
Mar 9, 20212 min read


‘Genuine use’ for EU trade marks
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that ‘genuine use’ for EU trade marks can be established through the...
Feb 23, 20211 min read


Why contracts are in writing: lessons from an oral trade mark co-existence agreement
A recent decision by the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court reveals the problems that can arise when businesses that once shared name...
Feb 22, 20212 min read


Court Room Recordings are not necessarily for Public Consumption
Lockdown boredom has caused recordings of meetings with irate characters or funny, and accidental, filters to become internet sensations....
Feb 22, 20212 min read


USTR Notorious Markets List
In its annual review of markets that engage in or facilitate counterfeiting and piracy, the US Trade Representative has named 39 online...
Feb 19, 20211 min read


The benefits of IP Insurance
With IP worth 75% of a business’ value why do less than 13% of businesses have IP insurance? It’s fascinating to read the insurance...
Feb 2, 20212 min read


Watch out! New employees could lead to a breach of confidence claim against you
A new employee joins a business. They have lots of new ideas and suggestions. Sounds great but might you be at risk? To put it another...
Feb 2, 20212 min read


Brand investment pays off for Dr Martens
Dr Martens, the footwear and clothing brand that defined my teens, is launching an initial public offering (IPO) which could value the...
Feb 2, 20212 min read


Domain names are personal property
Domain names have been treated as a type of intellectual property for years but their precise status has not been clear in the UK, until...
Jan 27, 20212 min read


The limits of shape protection: The Gömböc example
It is very challenging to obtain a legal monopoly in a shape. The easiest solution is to file one or more registered designs within the...
Jan 24, 20212 min read


Legal Innovation = Microsoft Office?
Legal innovation is often equated with one of the incredible new AI tools that are unveiled at tech events on a regular basis. However,...
Jan 24, 20213 min read


Future gazing in a time of global crisis
There is no doubt that we are living through an unstable time. The pandemic has changed daily life for everyone. Politics are far from...
Jan 19, 20213 min read


The Janger Ltd v Tesco Plc
What does the fashion industry hang on? The Janger is designed for travel and holiday use (so probably isn't getting a lot of use at the...
Jan 15, 20212 min read


European Commission takes fight to online counterfeiters
Is help coming to tackle the scourge of counterfeits sold on online marketplaces? Counterfeit goods affect all businesses as they grow...
Jan 6, 20212 min read


The last Community Design case (in the UK)
A case regarding “ballet flats” is likely the last time in which a UK court will sit as a Community Design Court, and the judgment was...
Dec 24, 20201 min read


Brand extensions beware!
You take a famous car company with a well known trade mark, say Ferrari, and decide that you can get an entirely new revenue stream...
Dec 24, 20202 min read


Protecting digital designs - the clock is ticking
Designs are one of the key IP rights for the gaming and fashion industries but they are complex and consequently poorly understood. There...
Nov 26, 20202 min read


What happens if the trade mark you use in practice is different to your registration?
Branding and trade mark use can change in subtle (and not so subtle) ways over time. For example, it may be used in a different typeface,...
Oct 28, 20202 min read


Don't lose your rights after Brexit
We first wrote about the impact of Brexit over a year ago back in a pre pandemic era. Although we still don't have a deal. The outcomes...
Oct 4, 20203 min read
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