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NEWS

05
08
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. Magazine Takes Long Shot in ‘Tiger King’ Trademark Tangle: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/magazine-takes-long-shot-in-tiger-king-trademark-tangle;
  2. For The Record™ Granted Patent for Blockchain Verified Recordings: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200803005052/en/Record%E2%84%A2-Granted-Patent-Blockchain-Verified-Recordings;
  3. Delhi High Court Directs Blocking Of 50 Rogue Websites Using Snapdeal Trademark: https://inc42.com/buzz/delhi-high-court-directs-blocking-of-50-rogue-websites-using-snapdeal-trademark/;
  4. Hello Kitty hired to spread awareness of new Japanese copyright laws: https://completemusicupdate.com/article/hello-kitty-hired-to-spread-awareness-of-new-japanese-copyright-laws/;
  5. Yeasayer Drop Copyright Lawsuit Against the Weeknd over "Pray for Me": https://exclaim.ca/music/article/yeasayer_drop_copyright_lawsuit_against_the_weeknd_over_pray_for_me;
  6. The Risk of trade secret misappropriation during work-from-home arrangements: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1963143/the-risk-of-trade-secret-misappropriation-during-work-from-home-arrangements;
  7. Ex-Google exec sent to prison for stealing robocar secrets: https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/ex-google-exec-sent-to-prison-for-stealing-robocar-secrets;
  8. Apple Investors Unfazed by China Patent Suit: https://www.barrons.com/articles/apple-stock-investors-unfazed-by-china-patent-suit-51596469591;
  9. Protecting Intellectual Property with Data Loss Prevention: https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital-security/protecting-intellectual-property-with-data-loss-prevention/77363711;
  10. Strong Roots: Comparative Analysis of Patent Protection for Plants and Animals: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/08/05/strong-roots-comparative-analysis-patent-protection-animals-plants/id=123649/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ipwatchdog+%28IPWatchdog.com%29
MORE

23
07
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

 

  1. New York developer who whitewashed 5Pointz graffiti—and owes artists $6.75m in damages—appeals to Supreme Court
  1. 320 tonnes of potentially dangerous dairy products taken off the market in Operation OPSON IX
  1. The world needs a 'people's vaccine' for coronavirus, not a big-pharma monopoly
  1. Misappropriation by Acquisition: Are M&A Discussions Setting Companies Up for Complicated Lawsuits?
  1. The UK takes the final step out of Unitary Patent Court
  1. Social media brands ‘exposing’ users to fraud, claims report
  1. PRS for Music off to a Flying start in copyright infringement claim against Qatar Airways
  1. EUIPO: Launch of Strategic Plan 2025 EPO’s Annual Review 2019 published: progress made on strategic plan
  1.  Microsoft may face EU antitrust probe after Slack complaint on tying practice
  1.  A primer on patenting artificial intelligence in Europe

 

MORE

13
07
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

MORE

07
07
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. How Patent Races Impact Innovation: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/07/06/patent-races-impact-innovation/id=123100/;
  2. Lessons on Patent Subject Matter Eligibility from Dropbox v. Synchronoss: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/07/02/lessons-patent-subject-matter-eligibility-dropbox-v-synchronoss/id=123009/;
  3. INSIGHT: Space Force and Netflix—A Lesson in Securing IP Rights: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/insight-space-force-and-netflix-a-lesson-in-securing-ip-rights;
  4. Vaseline, Smirnoff risk removal from trademark registry: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Vaseline-Smirnoff-risk-removal-from-trademark-registry/2560-5589140-89n8to/index.html;
  5. Conan Doyle Estate Sues Netflix Over Coming Movie About Sherlock Holmes' Sister: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/conan-doyle-estate-sues-netflix-coming-movie-sherlock-holmes-sister-1300108;
  6. The CJEU Brompton Bicycle case: a UK view: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-cjeu-brompton-bicycle-case-uk-view.html;
  7. 'It has been a battle': Montreal artist says her designs were stolen by online companies: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.5638941/it-has-been-a-battle-montreal-artist-says-her-designs-were-stolen-by-online-companies-1.5638947;
  8. Kanye West Trademarks ‘#WestDayEver’ For Clothing And Footwear: https://etcanada.com/news/664967/kanye-west-trademarks-westdayever-for-clothing-and-footwear/;
  9. China: PCT Applications Can Directly Enter The Italian National Phase: https://www.mondaq.com/china/trademark/962422/pct-applications-can-directly-enter-the-italian-national-phase;
  10. Indivisibility and visibility in invalidity proceedings of a Community design: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/07/indivisibility-and-visibility-in.html;
  11. Supreme Court sides with booking.com – generic.com trademarks not necessarily generic: https://www.intellectualpropertylawblog.com/archives/booking-generic-com-trademarks
MORE

29
06
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. These boots are made for walking...and not for copyright protection
  1. Latest information on Brexit
  1. European Cooperation: New Trade Mark Law in Cyprus
  1. EPO lifts conventionally bred patent ‘moratorium’
  1. When the consumer getting the mark all wrong might be good for the brand holder
  1. Stan Lee's daughter sanctioned over ‘meritless’ complaint
  1. Publishers May Not be Able to Embed Instagram Users’ Imagery Without Running Afoul of Copyright Law, Per SDNY
  1. EPO’s Annual Review 2019 published: progress made on strategic plan
  1.  Rebranding a City: Milton Glaser and the Ubiquitous “I Love New York” Logo
  1.  Another Spanish painting ruined by amateur restorer prompts call for regulation
MORE

22
06
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. General Court annuls EUIPO Board of Appeal decision on invalidity of Louis Vuitton chequerboard pattern

 

  1. Italian Supreme Court rules that technical regulation (drafted by an IP lawyer) may be *in principle* protected by copyright

 

  1. Finding a Way Forward: Analyzing Approaches to Artificial Intelligence Inventorship

 

  1. UK: Keep Calm And Carry Your Brand Through The COVID-19 Crisis

 

  1. Amazon, Valentino Team Up & File Suit Against Amazon Seller for Counterfeiting, Patent Infringement

 

  1. Tom Petty estate issues cease and desist over Trump's use of song

 

  1. Instagram: copyright free-for-all?

 

  1. CJEU cancels ‘descriptive’ Russian ice cream mark

 

  1. Tinder and Bumble settle dating app dispute

 

  1. Saudi Arabia announces piracy crackdown amid WTO scrutiny
MORE

18
06
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. Vogue Owner Settles Suit Over “Black Vogue,” Forcing Designer to Permanently Abandon the Mark

 

  1.  What Does a Case Over the Protectability of a Bike Design Have to Do With the Fashion Industry?

 

  1. US Copyright Office Review Board allows registration of Abercrombie & Fitch’s Store Front Sculpture

 

  1.  Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis

 

  1.  Whoever invents a coronavirus vaccine will control the patent – and, importantly, who gets to use it

 

  1. The Freewheeling, Copyright-Infringing World of Custom-Printed Tees

 

  1.  Amazon's IP Win Shields Customers From Follow-Up Suits

 

  1.  Zoom says free users will get end-to-end encryption after all
MORE

15
06
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. Twitch Is Cracking Down on DJs:

 

  1. Apple granted patent for software that would let you take socially distant group selfies:

 

  1. How Pandemics Past and Present, Fuel the Fall of Small Businesses and the Rise of Mega-Corporations:

https://www.thefashionlaw.com/how-pandemics-past-and-present-fuel-the-fall-of-small-businesses-and-the-rise-of-mega-corporations/

 

  1. Tiffany & Co. is Being Sued for Allegedly Infringing Color-Changing Stone Patent By Way of $1 Million Bracelet:

 

  1. WHO covid-19 IP pool launches this week without strong pharma support:

 

  1. Microsoft Files "Xbox Series" Trademark, Sparking Speculation Of Another Xbox:

 

  1. BREAKING: CJEU rules that a functional shape may be protected by copyright in so far as it is original:

 

  1. Four Ford Grille Designs Show Up In Trademark Filings:

 

  1. This week Apple won 6 Design Patents for Product Retainers, filed for the iPhone SE trademark, won a Figurative TM for AirPods+:

 

  1. Chanel is Looking to Expand Upon its Protections for its “Lego” Icon in New Trademark Application:
  • https://www.thefashionlaw.com/chanel-is-looking-to-expand-upon-its-protections-for-its-lego-bag-in-new-trademark-application/.

 

MORE

01
06
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

MORE

26
05
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. A Stylized Word Mark in One Country May Be Too Simple and Common in Another: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/05/23/stylized-word-mark-one-country-may-simple-common-another/id=121845/
  2. Panasonic joins IP Open Access Declaration against COVID-19: https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/panasonic-joins-ip-open-access-declaration-against-covid-19/
  3. Patent Rights and Wrongs in the COVID-19 Pandemic: EU and U.S. Approaches to Compulsory Licensing: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/05/19/patent-rights-wrongs-covid-19-pandemic-eu-u-s-approaches-compulsory-licensing/id=121709/
  4. Manchester United sues Football Manager makers over use of name: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/22/manchester-united-sues-football-manager-makers-over-use-of-name
  5. Copyright Office Says Landmark Piracy Law Needs Fine-Tuning: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9388994/copyright-office-says-landmark-piracy-law-needs-fine-tuning
  6. China Releases the “Plan for Further Implementation of the National Intellectual Property Strategy to Accelerate the Construction of an Intellectual Property Power Country by 2020”: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/china-releases-plan-further-implementation-national-intellectual-property-strategy
  7. Closer Collaboration between the EUIPO and EURid to Benefit SMEs: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200525005092/en/Closer-Collaboration-EUIPO-EURid-Benefit-SMEs
  8. INSIGHT: Patent Ruling Begs the Question—What Is a Natural Person? https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tech-and-telecom-law/insight-patent-ruling-begs-the-question-what-is-a-natural-person
  9. India: IPR In Development Of Software Technology And Industry: https://www.mondaq.com/india/patent/940286/ipr-in-development-of-software-technology-and-industry
  10. Piaggio Group wins battle against Chinese copy of Vespa Primavera: https://www.campaignindia.in/article/piaggio-group-wins-battle-against-chinese-copy-of-vespa-primavera/461229
MORE

20
05
20

Wycon S.p.A. contro Kiko S.p.A. – Cass. Civ. 30 aprile 2020 n. 8433

Con sentenza del 30 aprile 2020 la Corte di Cassazione si è pronunciata sul caso Kiko-Wycon, fissando alcuni importanti punti relativi alla tutelabilità del layout di ambienti interni, con particolare riferimento, nel caso di specie, ai punti vendita della catena di negozi appartenenti alla Kiko S.p.A.

 

Protagoniste della presente controversia, sorta nel 2013, sono la Kiko S.p.A. (Kiko) e la Wycon S.p.A. (Wycon), entrambe società operanti nel settore della cosmesi. In particolare, la prima aveva lamentato dinnanzi al Tribunale di Milano la violazione dei diritti esclusivi relativi all’arredamento e all’allestimento (trade dress) dei propri negozi, da parte di Wycon.

 

La decisione di primo grado, così come quella di appello, avevano riconosciuto l’applicabilità della tutela autorale ex art. 2 n. 5 l.a. al design interno dei negozi Kiko, nonché la sussistenza di una fattispecie di concorrenza parassitaria ex art. 2598 comma 3 c.c., con conseguenti pronunce inibitorie e risarcitorie.

 

La recente decisione della Suprema Corte ha il merito di aver confermato e chiarito alcuni aspetti della legge sul diritto d’autore con specifico riferimento alle opere dell’architettura, servendosi a tal fine anche della recente giurisprudenza europea.

 

Tra i punti di maggiore interesse può anzitutto segnalarsi la riconducibilità stessa della fattispecie concreta all’art. 2 n. 10 l.a., inerente alla tutela delle opere dell’architettura. In particolare, la ricorrente ha sostenuto che il progetto di allestimento interno dei negozi non rientrasse nelle opere di natura architettonica, mancando il requisito dell’incorporazione del progetto nell’ambito di uno spazio specificamente individuato e con elementi strutturali fissi. Tuttalpiù, il caso avrebbe potuto essere ricondotto all’ art. 2 n. 10 l.a., che tutela invece le opere del design industriale.

 

A tale proposito, la Corte ha sancito che un progetto o un’opera di arredamento di interni è proteggibile ai sensi dell’art. 5 n. 2 l.a. “a prescindere dal requisito dell’inscindibile incorporazione degli elementi d’arredo con l’immobile”, in virtù dell’ampliamento del concetto di architettura a cui si è assistito negli anni, sposando dunque l’orientamento dottrinale prevalente. Si tratta di un aspetto rilevante, considerando che la pretesa applicabilità da parte della ricorrente (tuttalpiù) dell’art. 2 n. 10 l.a. avrebbe implicato la necessaria sussistenza di un requisito ulteriore ai fini della proteggibilità, ossia quello del “valore artistico”, espressamente previsto per le opere del design.

 

Wycon tuttavia, non solo ha criticato l’inquadramento del caso di specie nell’ambito dell’art. 2 n. 10 l.a., ma ha ritenuto di doversi escludere in toto l’applicabilità stessa del diritto d’autore, sostenendo che il design d’interni potesse essere semmai tutelabile quale marchio tridimensionale, come peraltro riconosciuto anche dalla Corte di Giustizia nel caso Apple (CGUE 10 Luglio 2014, Causa C‑421/13), richiamato dalla Corte di Cassazione. In effetti, Kiko aveva tentato di registrare il layout dei propri negozi come marchio tridimensionale, vedendo tuttavia rifiutata la propria domanda da parte dell’EUIPO “per carenza della capacità distintiva originaria o acquisita”.

 

La Corte di Cassazione ha affrontato tale tema facendo applicazione della recente giurisprudenza europea, in particolare relativa al caso Cofemel (12 Settembre 2019, Causa C-683/17). La citata decisione si era occupata della tutelabilità ai sensi del diritto d’autore delle opere del design industriale (si trattava, in particolare, di capi d’abbigliamento). La Corte aveva anzitutto confermato la cumulabilità della protezione garantita dalla disciplina sui disegni e modelli e quella derivante dal diritto d’autore, escludendo peraltro che tale ultima protezione potesse dipendere dalla sussistenza o meno di un particolare pregio estetico del prodotto. I giudici Europei avevano anzi richiamato il concetto di “opera” elaborato dalla stessa giurisprudenza europea, riferendosi a tal fine alle sentenze Infopaq e Levola Hengelo (rispettivamente: CGUE 16 Luglio 2009, Causa C-5/08 e CGUE 13 Novembre 2018, Causa C-310/17) affermando dunque che ciò che rileva ai fini dell’applicazione del diritto d’autore è la presenza di due requisiti: il carattere creativo e la precisa identificabilità dell’opera. Laddove tali requisiti siano soddisfatti dovrà ritenersi integrata la nozione di “opera” e, in quanto tale, essa sarà proteggibile tramite applicazione della legge sul diritto d’autore.

 

Vero è, come afferma la Corte di Cassazione nel presente caso, che le opere dell’architettura, così come quelle del design, si distinguono dalle opere di altra natura (quali quelle artistiche o letterarie), trattandosi di cosiddetta “arte applicata”, caratterizzata quindi da aspetti di funzionalità oltre che di mera elaborazione intellettuale, la cui “eccessiva” tutelabilità potrebbe determinare conseguenze lesive per la concorrenza, ma è altrettanto vero che «quando il legislatore ha voluto riservare la tutela autorale soltanto ad una fascia elevata di creatività, in correlazione alla specifica destinazione dell’opera dell’ingegno al mercato, lo ha indicato espressamente, come ad es. ha fatto per le opere del disegno industriale, per le quali l’art. 2 n.10 l.a. richiede sia il ‘carattere creativo’ sia il ‘valore artistico’».

 

Ora, tornando al caso di specie, i requisiti dell’originalità e della precisa identificabilità necessitano di un accertamento di fatto, che non può dunque essere operato dalla Corte di Cassazione. Tuttavia, i due precedenti gradi di giudizio ne hanno confermato la sussistenza. Da un lato, perché l’apporto creativo che caratterizza il progetto realizzato dallo Studio Iosa Ghini, commissionato da Kiko, risulta idoneo ad integrare il requisito previsto dalla normativa autorale, in quanto frutto non di mere scelte funzionali; dall’altro perché, seppur manchi, secondo la ricorrente, “un progetto di arredo definito in tutti i suoi connotati espressivi” (e il diritto d’autore, in effetti, tuteli le specifiche forme espressive e non le idee) i giudici di merito hanno ravvisato nel progetto di un concept-store generale una forma espressiva ben identificabile, destinata ad essere replicabile e adattabile alle diverse esigenze degli stores Kiko.

 

Sintesi delle valutazioni svolte si ritrova nel principio di diritto espresso dalla Corte di Cassazione, secondo cui: «in tema di diritto d'autore, un progetto o un'opera di arredamento di interni, nel quale ricorra una progettazione unitaria, con l'adozione di uno schema in sé definito e visivamente apprezzabile, che riveli una chiara "chiave stilistica", di componenti organizzate e coordinate per rendere l'ambiente funzionale ed armonico, ovvero l'impronta personale dell'autore, è proteggibile quale opera dell'architettura, ai sensi dell'art.5 n. 2 La. («i disegni e le opere dell'architettura»), non rilevando il requisito dell'inscindibile incorporazione degli elementi di arredo con l'immobile o il fatto che gli elementi singoli di arredo che lo costituiscano siano o meno semplici ovvero comuni e già utilizzati nel settore dell'arredamento di interni, purché si tratti di un risultato di combinazione originale, non imposto dalla volontà di dare soluzione ad un problema tecnico-funzionale da parte dell'autore».

MORE

11
05
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. The US Supreme Court makes history during the COVID-19 pandemic by streaming oral arguments for first time as the Justices work remotely. What is the case about? A dispute between the USPTO and Booking.com over a bid by the online reservation company to trademark the name. What is the case about? A dispute between the USPTO and Booking.com over a bid by the online reservation company to trademark the name.

 

  1. Italian Supreme Court applies CJEU Cofemel decision to makeup store layout.

 

  1. AI Programs Are Creating Fashion Designs and Raising Questions About Who (or What) is an Inventor.

 

  1. Patent exceptions in times of Covid-19: an Italian perspective.

 

  1. Chanel, What Goes Around Comes Around are Still Fighting Over the Sale of Chanel Bags, Including Potentially Authentic Ones.

 

  1. Trademark applications will drop during the coronavirus crisis, but globalisation offers hope of a speedy recovery.

 

  1. INTA Bulletin, Taking Action on Fake COVID-19 Products and Other Counterfeits.

 

  1. The Bad Spaniel Gets a Treat: VIP Products LLC v Jack Daniels Properties Inc.

 

  1. Congress Asks Amazon’s Bezos to Testify on Use of Third-Party Seller Data.
MORE

04
05
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. The non-systematic relevance of earlier IP rights: from Gömböc to Brompton Bicycle
  1. ‘Welcome’ ruling by CJEU in Royalty Pharma SPC case
  1. A Number of Amazon’s International Sites Are on the U.S. Trade Rep’s Annual IP “Black List”
  1. Canon and Toyota found COVID-19 IP partnership
  1. Trade marks and mobile apps: the PlanetArt v Photobox saga draws to a close (in PlanetArt's favour)
  1. USPTO: no room for artificial inventors
  1. The Hague Patents Court conducts first virtual hearing in patent case
  1. Fendi is the Latest Fashion Brand to be Sued for Allegedly Failing to License its Photos
  1. Spotify accused of stealing ad software trade secrets
  1. SkyKicked: High Court confirms trade mark infringement
MORE

29
04
20

NEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

 

  1. COVID-19: further extension of deadlines
  1. Climate crisis drives shift towards sustainable fashion
  1. World IP Day and ‘The Sound of the Future’
  1. Can – and Should – Brands Sue Retailers, Resellers Over Price-Gouged Products During COVID-19?
  1. Twenty-fourth Plenary session: EDPB doubles down on COVID-19 guidance in newly adopted letters
  1. As FaceTime Photoshoots Find Favor in Fashion, What Does That Mean for Authorship and Ownership?
  1. American Antitrust Institute Materials on Competition Issues in the Healthcare Supply Chain
  1. Is COVID-19 a Nietzschean moment for trademarks and brands?
  1.  Jay-Z takes action against 'deepfakes' of him rapping Hamlet and Billy Joel
  1. A New Fight is Brewing Between Nike and Puma, and it Centers on Nike’s “Footware” Trademark
MORE

20
04
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

MORE

15
04
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. The Moral Dimension of U.S. Patents: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/04/09/the-moral-dimension-of-us-patents/id=120519/;
  2. ICBII Announces the Approval of its latest patent on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeable Technology accelerating the company's progress towards treating Neuro-Degenerative Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/icbii-announces-approval-latest-patent-090000634.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cxLmlwbmV3c2ZsYXNoLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM36kz28lpxTrCoHSpadk0RHfTyr0ZzEjzv8KWK81zMqW5Fw16IjqJYc-j8KVxs5xKg71Mn79MHSE2y5eu27YoHZ40dsCDDQRHEBnkWBCKQSKkKPN3kWEQY09ZYtX1qLQUs8u3Z04w_9oBDri-VVPat3hnXIsCj7MbwFRFJI1X5L;
  3. Libraries, archives and museums working together on copyright: the Dutch example: https://pro.europeana.eu/post/libraries-archives-and-museums-working-together-on-copyright-the-dutch-example;
  4. Online Enforcement of IP: https://www.bananaip.com/ip-news-center/online-enforcement-of-ip/;
  5. Trademark Office Deadlines and Coronavirus-Related Delays (Update #3): https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/trademark-office-deadlines-and-75585/;
  6. Tom Brady is trying to trademark ‘Tompa Bay’ and ‘Tampa Brady’: https://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/21128211/tom-brady-is-trying-to-trademark-tompa-bay-and-tampa-brady;
  7. Chinese government subsidies fuel surge in patents but experts warn it’s quantity over quality: https://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/3079878/chinese-government-subsidies-fuel-surge-patents-experts-warn-its;
  8. International Trademark Association to Hold 2020 Annual Meeting in November in US: http://www.ag-ip-news.com/news.aspx?id=53225&lang=en;
  9. United States: The Growing Importance Of International Arbitration For Intellectual Property Disputes: https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/arbitration-dispute-resolution/906374/the-growing-importance-of-international-arbitration-for-intellectual-property-disputes;
  10. Michael Jordan wins trademark case in China's top court: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38246196.
MORE

08
04
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. Apple wins Patents for a Future Optical Keyboard and their AR 'Measure' App:

 

  1. UN intellectual property agency admits possible wider access to patented drugs and medical supplies:

 

  1. Forget Sussex Royal, Harry and Meghan’s Foundation Has a New Name: Archewell:

https://www.thefashionlaw.com/forget-sussex-royal-harry-and-meghans-foundation-has-a-new-name-achewell/

 

  1. Zara Responds to $3 Million Amiri Lawsuit: “Your Jeans are Generic, Functional”:

 

  1. USPTO Extends Trademark And Patent Deadlines Due to Coronavirus Pandemic:

 

  1. Samsung patents a quad-curved screen that leaves little room for buttons and ports:

 

  1. COVID-19: The Invisible Enemy Revisited:

 

  1. Will pharma commit to delivering affordable therapeutics against COVID-19?:

 

  1. McGregor knocked back in clothing trademark scrap:

 

  1. We need to relax intellectual property rules to fight this virus:

 

MORE

06
04
20

CJUE rules Amazon is not liable for storage of counterfeit goods.

By Serena Bertinetto.

 

On 2 April 2020, the Fifth Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) delivered a highly-anticipated preliminary ruling in a case initiated by Coty Germany GmbH (“Coty”) against several Amazon group companies (“Amazon”) in 2014.

 

The request for a preliminary ruling was made by the Bundesgerichtshof (i.e., the German Federal Court of Justice). The German Court requested the CJUE to determine whether, pursuant to EU law, a company can be held liable for trademark infringement, for storing goods on behalf of a third-party seller for the express purpose of offering them on the market, if such goods are infringing intellectual property rights.

 

The case arises from an investigation made by Coty back in 2014.

 

Coty, a well-known distributor of perfumes and cosmetics, holds a license for the EU registered trademark “DAVIDOFF”. In 2014, one of Coty’s investigators made a test purchase for a Davidoff Hot Water fragrance on Amazon’s third-party marketplace (the “Amazon Marketplace”).

 

The Amazon Marketplace provides, inter alia, the so called “Fulfilment by Amazon” scheme: under such scheme, goods for sale are stored by Amazon in its warehouses; subsequently, the goods are dispatched by Amazon itself or by different external service providers.

 

After receiving a counterfeit product from Amazon as a result of its test purchase, Coty decided to file a trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon.

 

The case was then referred to the CJEU in order to ascertain whether, pursuant to Article 9(2)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 and Article 9(3)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001, a company that, on behalf of a third-party seller, stores goods infringing trademark rights (if unaware of such violation) is itself using the mark.

 

The CJEU concluded that “in order for the storage of goods bearing signs identical, or similar to trade marks to be classified as ‘using’ those signs, it is also necessary […] for the economic operator providing the storage itself [i.e., in this case, Amazon] to pursue the aim referred to by those provisions, which is offering the goods or putting them on the market”. Should this condition miss from the equation, the mere storage of counterfeit goods cannot be defined as “use of a trademark” (see the CJEU’s judgment, points 45-46).

 

It appears, indeed, that the core of the CJUE’s logic revolves around the idea that “the fact of creating the technical conditions necessary for the use of a sign and being paid for that service does not mean that the party offering the service itself uses the sign” (see the CJEU’s judgment, point 43, also quoting other CJEU precedents on this issue).

 

At last, while not all relevant stakeholders may agree with the CJUE’s conclusions, this decision appears to have finally clarified some aspects of online marketplaces’ scope of civil liability when dealing with counterfeit goods.

 

We will have to wait to see if and how this approach will evolve, especially in those cases where Amazon (as well as other online marketplaces) play a more active role in the distribution of goods and products.

 

Check out a copy of the full decision at: https://bit.ly/2JAXYnp.

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30
03
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. US court rules that unlicensed reproduction of NBA players' tattoos in their videogame avatars is not a copyright infringement

 

  1. Do Your ‘Home Work’: Keeping Trade Secrets Safe While Working Remotely

 

  1. A Print, a “Pajama Dressing” Brand, and a Copyright Lesson in the Age of Instagram

 

  1. Innovators Rush to Solve Coronavirus Pandemic While Countries Contemplate Compulsory Licensing

 

  1. A Cosmic Copyright Conundrum: ‘Star Trek,’ Space Force, SCOTUS and Blackbeard’s Shipwreck

 

  1. What is the Status of Your Fashion-Centric Contracts in the U.S. in the Light of Extensive COVID-19 Delays?

 

  1. Sanofi Decision Presents Opportunities to Clear the Patent Thicket for Generic Pharmaceuticals

 

  1. German Decision Puts Unified Patent Court Agreement in Jeopardy

 

  1. “Panic buying is good for counterfeiters” – warning to food industry over heightened threat

 

  1. Olympics Postponed, But Will Retain 'Tokyo 2020' Name

 

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23
03
20

OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

  1. IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis.

 

  1. What’s in a Name? Thaddeus O’Neil Lands a Win in its Longstanding Fight with Surf Brand O’Neill.

 

  1. What’s in a name? Enforcing trademark rights and the ‘own name’ defence.

 

  1. No, Seriously, Don't Try To 'Trademark' Coronavirus.

 

  1. How TikTok Used Blockchain to Defeat Copyright Infringement.

 

  1. Research finds embarrassment is a key deterrent against purchasing fake goods.
  1. Levandowski [former head of Uber’s self-driving unit] agrees plea deal over Google self-driving car secrets theft.

 

  1. Led Zeppelin didn’t steal ‘Stairway To Heaven’ riff says appeals court.

Now it’s your turn to judge:

 

  1. The Counterfeit Problem and How Retailers Can Fight Back in 2020.

 

  1. Website offering anti covid-19 drugs obscured.

Huge seizure of harmful and unsafe masks by the Italian Guardia di Finanza in Catania.

More than 1,500 litres of hand sanitizer seized.

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