Archive - March 2016

With effect from Wednesday 23rd March there will be a number of name changes implemented in relation to Intellectual Property organisations and rights. ·    The Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) will be known as the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). ·    Community Trade Marks (CTM’s) will change to EU Trade Marks. […]

PMS International Group Plc (Respondent) v Magmatic Limited (Appellant)  [2016] UKSC 12 This case came before the Supreme Court following earlier proceedings at the High Court and Court of Appeal. Two designs were at issue (pictured, left to right): the ‘Trunki’, Magmatic’s Registered Community Design (RCD), and the Kiddee Case by PMS, in various iterations, […]

Case C-396/15 P Shoe Branding Europe BVBA v Adidas AG European Court of Justice, 17 February 2016 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has upheld a decision of the General Court allowing Adidas to oppose the registration of a trade mark consisting of two parallel stripes placed on the side of footwear. Shoe Branding Europe, […]

The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced increases in its renewal fees from 1 April 2016. The fees will increase by approximately 1%. For example, the 6th year renewal will increase from €1040 to €1050. Meanwhile, the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) has also announced changes in renewal fees effective from 1 April 2016, a reduction […]