In a recent judgment, Europe’s highest court in civil matters, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), expanded the scope of the EU Customs Regulation. It ruled that EU customs authorities have the power under the Regulation to seize and detain goods suspected of infringing intellectual property (‘IP’) rights where those goods have … Continue Reading
On 14 May 2014, the new UK Intellectual Property Act (“the Act”) received Royal Assent. According to the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the Act has the objective of “modernising” UK Intellectual Property law to help businesses better protect their IP rights in the UK and abroad. The Act amends aspects of the law mainly in … Continue Reading
Our Spring edition of Hot Topics in Intellectual Property and Technology is now available. This is the second of our quarterly bulletins highlighting some topical developments in the UK in the areas of intellectual property and technology, contract, data privacy, trade secrets and advertising and media. Topics covered in this edition include: Reforms to UK … Continue Reading
Advocate General Wathelet has issued his opinion in the case of Karen Millen Fashions Limited v Dunnes Stores, Dunnes Stores (Limerick) Limited. The opinion concerns the scope of unregistered design protection and is helpful for designers, particularly those in the fast-moving fashion industry. Brief background Designers in the EU benefit from a relatively new form … Continue Reading
Our new quarterly publication – Hot Topics in Intellectual Property and Technology – highlights the most significant legal developments in the UK and Europe in the areas of intellectual property and technology, contract, data protection and privacy, trade secrets and advertising and media. Our Hot Topics briefing is intended to keep you abreast of key … Continue Reading
On 1 January 2014, a new Regulation 608/2013 setting out the powers of customs authorities to deal with goods suspected of infringing intellectual property rights became applicable across the EU. The new Regulation improves the position of rights-holders by strengthening and streamlining customs procedures around the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Background The New Regulation … Continue Reading
On 1 January 2014, a new Design Act came into force in Germany – Gesetz über den rechtlichen Schutz von Design (Designgesetz – DesignG). In a major change to the former system, the German legislator introduced design invalidity proceedings before the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO). This will significantly reduce the costs of invalidity … Continue Reading
As the Southern Hemisphere enters the summer months and slows down for Christmas, IP Australia and the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) have advertised their Christmas closure dates. IP Australia’s Canberra and state offices will be closed from 25 December 2013 to 1 January 2014 inclusive. IP Australia’s website has all of the information … Continue Reading
Branding is the key to commercial success in sport. Just think: where would the New York Yankees be without their iconic NY logo? Or the Chicago Bulls without their iconic bull’s head? How much money would the Australian Football League (AFL) make if they didn’t own the logos for every team, and couldn’t sell official … Continue Reading
The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) commenced operation on 30 January 2012 and significantly changed the legislative regime governing security interests in Australia. The PPSA applies to security interests in both tangible and intangible personal property, including intellectual property (IP) and includes specific provisions that deal with security interests in relation to IP.… Continue Reading
Here at the Squire Sanders IP&T blog, we noticed that WIPO have updated their website. We’re pretty impressed with the new sleek WIPO landing page. We’re interested to know what you think. Do you think the new WIPO website is easier to use? Would you have done it differently? Do you also think it looks eerily … Continue Reading
