Lepin has been selling imitations of Lego products under the LEPIN brand since 2015 (as well as having this trademark registered everywhere). Not only the products are exact imitations, the packaging as well. In two years approximately 4.25 million products were sold worldwide at a quarter of Lego’s price. Lego has been combatting counterfeit for years. When the LEPIN trademark got cancelled in England in 2019, a ban was issued in China on production of the counterfeit products.
In 2007, Dennis Perry had registered the trademark METCHUP in the USA for ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard. Perry mixes these sauces in his own kitchen and sells this himself. Since 2010, he has sold 34 bottles. When Heinz launched a similar product under the name MAYOCHUP in 2016, a problem arises.
For some years now (following recent case law of the Dutch Supreme Court) there has been discussion about the extent of the protection of purely descriptive trade names. Can a company with a descriptive trade name claim exclusivity to this name and subsequently prohibit other companies from using a similar word in their trade name?
Many EU trademark holders have been approached by a firm named Levin Nyman & Partners recently. This Finnish company offers renewals of EU trade marks at excessive prices. If signed off, payment is demanded; even if the client changes his mind. The Finnish company is not registered with any Chamber of Commerce; in fact, the company is not located at the office address stated on the letterhead. The phone number (masked by a QR code) is not in use.
This spring, rapper Lil Nas X not only launched his new video, but also 666 pairs of “Satan shoes” ($1,018), a joint project with artist collective MSCHF. Original Nike Air Max shoes were slightly modified for this. A pentagram was added to the laces, as well as a reference to Luke 10:18 (the fall of the devil) and a drop of human blood combined with ink on the sole. After the announcement on Twitter, the numbered pairs sold out in the blink of an eye. Not to the liking of Nike, but could they do something?
The Baby Bullet is a blender specifically for making baby food. The blender comes with little storage jars and a booklet containing recipes. A happy face is depicted on the accompanying measuring cup. In order to protect the design, the manufacturer has applied for a Registered Community Design registration for this feature.
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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
