by manuel.roche | Sep 26, 2018 | All, Trademarks
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has held that, in order to be accepted for registration as a EU trademark, a sign must have distinctive character, inherent or acquired through use, throughout the European Union and not only in a substantial part or the majority of...
by manuel.roche | Aug 31, 2018 | All, Copyright, Designs
The layout of a retail store, even more if it is a flagship store or a franchise store, often created by a designer or an architect, may be protected in France by copyright if the originality of the store design is recognized by the courts. Such is the case of the...
by manuel.roche | Aug 26, 2018 | All, Trademarks
The Scotch Whisky Association is a Scottish organisation protecting the trade in Scottish whisky both in Scotland and abroad. Taking the view that the marketing of a whisky under the designation ‘Glen Buchenbach’ (which is produced by the Waldhorn distillery in...
by manuel.roche | Jun 29, 2018 | All, Copyright, Designs, Patents, Trademarks
Early June 2018, the European Union has initiated proceedings before the World Trade Organisation against China for failing to respect the intellectual property rights of European companies. Observing that “European companies coming to China are forced to grant...
by manuel.roche | Jun 15, 2018 | All, Trademarks
The footballer (soccer player) Lionel Messi finally obtained the registration of his trademark MESSI but had to contest the opposition based on the earlier mark MASSI for 6 years and all the way to the General Court. The Board of Appeal of the EUIPO had in fact held...
