A trade mark is a distinctive sign which indicates the origin of goods and services, usually refers to a registered trade marks
The General Court did not agree with the arguments raised by the Applicant (VistaJet ltd.) in support of their challenge of the First Board of Appeal decision[1]. The mark was found to be too simplistic to have any distinctive character. The Applicant, VistaJet ltd., applied for a position mark consisting “of a horizontal red stripe…
Of Sea Lions and SEAT Leons: Swiss Court Weighs in on Automobile Trademarks How different do “animal trademarks” need to be to coexist in the Swiss market? A recent decision from the Swiss Federal Administrative Court offers a compelling answer, resolving a dispute between SEAT S.A. and the trademark “Sea Lion” (fig.), both registered for…
A recent Court of Appeal decision revolved around the fast-food chain, Morley’s, and use of a similar trade mark by a lesser-known chain called Metro’s (including seven franchisees). Given the reputation of Morley’s in the fast-food industry, it had pre-established good will amongst consumers (having operated since 1985). Conversely, Metro’s has operated since 2015. The…
Facts This judgment by the GC (available in German and French) concerns three EUTM applications, one for the word “AESKUCARE” and two figurative marks with “AESKUCARE” as their dominant element. The applications covered, among other goods/services, diagnostic products in class 5, medical instruments in class 10, laboratory services in class 42 and medical services in…
Stay informed with our comprehensive roundup of the past month’s headlines, all neatly compiled for you in one convenient post. Catch up on the latest news reported by the Kluwer IP Reporter. Canada introduces project on Registrar-initiated non-use trademark proceedings The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has recently initiated a pilot project to proactively issue…
The General Court (GC) has recently confirmed that the figurative European Union trademark no. 002810299 consisting of two parallel stripes on the side of a shoe lacked distinctiveness (T-307/23 of 23.10.2024 – Jima Projects vs. EUIPO). The decision is noteworthy, as it confirms previous case law that a “branding practice” does not automatically render…
The ‘Hawk Tuah’ meme, popularised by Haliey (sic!) Welch, has prompted several third parties to apply for trademark protection in the EU. Can Welch, the ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’, challenge them? Bad Faith Well, as a first option, Welch could argue that these trademarks were filed in bad faith. In the NEYMAR case (T-795/17), the General…
You may know the “Chewbacca Defence” from the South Park cartoon series. Here is a similarly confusing defence, which we named after the national dish of Hungary. The principle of acquiescence is meant to safeguard fairness and stability in commercial practices and trademark use. If a right holder becomes aware of the use of a…
Already in 2019, the Austrian Supreme Court (“OGH”) had confirmed the lower instance decisions cancelling the Austrian figurative mark “SW Sophienwald” for being decriptive of its geographical origin for glassware and related goods in classes 14, 21 and 33 (decision of 26.11.2019, case 4 Ob 152/19k, please refer to my prior blog post here). One year…
A recent decision of the Higher Regional Court Vienna (OLG Vienna), second – and often last – instance in cancellation and revocation proceedings in Austria, showcases the risks of a mismatch between trademark specifications and actual trademark use. We are all aware that EU trademark law allows for trademarks to be registered for a vast…
