Background In mid-2015, the IP company responsible for managing Lewis Hamilton’s IP (which Formula 1 fans will be amused to read is aptly named “44IP Limited”) applied to register “LEWIS HAMILTON” as an EU trade mark. Registration was ultimately allowed for various...
The application was rejected by the Examiner under Article 7(1)(b) EUTMR which states:- The following shall not be registered: … (b) trade marks which are devoid of any distinctive character. The Examiner considered the mark would be recognised as an emoji...
When the UK left the European Union, the UKIPO granted comparable UK rights for all existing EU trade mark and design registrations. Such comparable UK rights were granted automatically with no action from the proprietor required. This was an invaluable solution for...
Background Lidl have been operating in the UK since 1973, during which they have always used the familiar blue and yellow Lidl logo. Last year Lidl accused Tesco of infringement of their registered trade mark rights in relation to two versions of this logo: the...
Background Despite difficulties in practice, Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2015/2436 provides that colours can be registered as trade marks. A colour must, however, constitute a ‘sign’ and it is this context which has made the process of registering a colour as a trade...
The UKIPO refused both marks under Section 3(6) TMA on the ground that the applications were filed in bad faith due to the inclusion of the footballers’ names. This decision from the UKIPO was upheld following a hearing, during which GTS was invited to file letters of...
Recent Comments