Trademark agencies are ranked annually based on independent assessments by clients, carried out by several different organizations. These rankings are of great importance, as it gives a firm recognition of their services and provides insight in the client’s satisfactory. The leading ranking institution in this respect, is the WTR 1000. The WTR 1000 lists the leading companies in the field of trademark law per country. We are proud to announce that this year, Abcor is once again recommended in the WTR1000 for the Benelux.
Dealerdirect Global operates a website , which would translate into Iwanttogetridofmycar.com. A competitor also uses this Dutch phrase meaning 'I want to get rid of my car' on its website. The parties agree that the sign I WANT TO GET RID OF MY CAR has no distinctive character for trading in used automobiles. Plaintiff states, however, that through its intensive use in advertising I WANT TO GET RID OF MY CAR has become a trademark, in other words: it has acquired distinctiveness.
Zoeloe van der Linden (left) and Louis Keijzer (right) have recently joined team Abcor. Zoeloe has previously worked at Novagraaf for 6 years, ever since graduating from law school. Within Abcor, Zoeloe will focus as a Benelux and European Certified Trademark Attorney on large SMEs and international customers.
Louis started his journey at Abcor as a paralegal, straight out of law school. He wrote his final thesis based on a research into the IP protection of graphical user interfaces.
Often companies claim trademark protection abroad through the International Registration (the so called Madrid Treaty & protocol). There is a similar route for design protection, through the International design registration (The Hague Convention). There is a big difference between designs and trademarks however, a claim for protection can only be successfully made if a model is new (ie not after a few years). Recently China acceded to this treaty.
Domain name disputes can often be resolved through a simple administrative (UDRP) procedure. These cases often involve a domain in which the trademark of another party is part. Some companies trust that having their brandname as a domain provides sufficient protection. They often neglect to apply for trademark protection timely. This can have serious consequences.
Many companies register their trading name as a trademark. Reason: a trademark provides much broader protection than trading name law. Especially if services are offered locally, the scope of protection is too limited to inhibit fellow companies in other regions.
Call us: 071-5763116 or send an e-mail: info@abcor-ip.com
Een korte introductie tekst over de nieuwsbrief waarin je uitlegt wat het is. Hoe je direct de nieuwste editie kunt lezen en hoe je je kunt abonneren. And click here for all the numbers.
Among others in this issue:
• EUIPO vs Mora TV: weigering geluidsmerk
• Jägermeister vs Alte Heiler: stop Russische copycat
• Stichting Nederlandse Top 40: gericht op Benelux?
• Tijdschrift HART vs Hermitage: soortgelijkheid
• Monique Granneman: nieuwe partner Abcor
