IP Law Watch – Legal issues, law and regulations concerning the world of IP

Be Wary: Sophisticated Scam Emails Impersonating IP Attorneys

Jan 22 2025

Business owners should be aware of a new email scam circulating impersonating an intellectual property (IP) representative, containing false information, and offering trademark assistance. This nefarious email scam is sent by an operator impersonating a known Australia registered patent and/or trade mark attorney to garner legitimacy. IP Australia has provided an example of the scam and both IP Australia and the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA) continue to publish alerts regarding this issue.

When Life Gives you Lemons….Thatchers Successful as Court of Appeal Finds Aldi Copycat Products Amount to Trade Mark Infringement in the UK

Jan 22 2025

On 20 January 2025, the English Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in a highly anticipated appeal by Thatchers Cider Company, concluding that Aldi had infringed Thatchers’ registered trade mark under section 10(3) of the Trade Marks Act 1994, by taking unfair advantage of Thatchers’ packaging trade mark (see comparison below).

Make Protecting Your UK and EU Product Packaging and Labels Your New Year’s IP Resolution. Part 1: Protect Unique Packaging in the EU

Jan 16 2025

New developments in Europe make a filing strategy for registered designs and trade marks even more essential for the modern consumer business. Read on to find out more.

USPTO Patent and Trademark Fee Increases

Dec 23 2024

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced increased patent and trademark fees effective 19 and 18 January 2025, respectively.

You’re Gonna Hear Me Roar: Katy Perry Wins Appeal Against Local Australian Fashion Designer

Dec 15 2024

In the long-running trade mark dispute between international popstar Katy Perry and Australian fashion designer Katie Taylor, the Full Federal Court has overturned the first instance decision of Taylor v Killer Queen, LLC (No 5) [2023] FCA 364 and ordered that Taylor’s trade mark be cancelled.

SkyKick v Sky: A Debrief of the Latest Developments

Nov 22 2024

The UK Supreme Court recently handed down its judgment in the long-running SkyKick v Sky trade mark battle. The court considered the key issue of ‘bad faith’ applied to the over-claiming practice and its implications for trade mark infringement matters.

Can Industrial Designs Be Protected by Copyright in the United Kingdom? The WaterRower is Not Protected by Copyright in the United Kingdom

Nov 18 2024

Earlier this week, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) handed down the long-awaited decision in the WaterRower v Liking [2024] EWHC 2806 (IPEC) case. It is seen as a key judgement exploring the boundaries of copyright protection in the United Kingdom.

Federal Circuit Clarifies the “Dispositive” Requirement of the Foreign Antisuit-Injunction Framework

Nov 11 2024

On 24 October 2024, the Federal Circuit issued a precedential decision in Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson v. Lenovo (U.S.), Inc.¹ concluding that the threshold “dispositive” requirement of the foreign-antisuit-injunction framework can be met if a foreign antisuit injunction would resolve a foreign injunction, even if it would not resolve the entire foreign proceeding. The Federal Circuit also clarified that whether a party satisfies the good-faith-negotiating obligation of a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) commitment is dispositive of the party’s ability to pursue foreign injunctions.

UKIPO Issues Guidance on Design Applications for Products Consisting of Multiple Components

Sep 20 2024

The UKIPO has published an updated Design Practice Note on design applications for products that consist of multiple components. The Practice Note clarifies what is acceptable in a single design application under UK design practice.

Be Very Mindful When it Comes to Social Media Trends and Trade Marks

Sep 06 2024

“Brat summer”, “coquette aesthetic”, “strawberry milk makeup”: social media trends can achieve viral status essentially overnight. However, their popularity is frequently short-lived. As a result, brands will often quickly devise marketing strategies incorporating these trends and catchphrases as soon as possible to capitalise off the current popularity and appeal to consumers.