Advertisers are keen on using influencers to promote their products on social media. Some vloggers’ reach is immense and they are ideal for pushing a product into the attention of the target group. Does this now also have trademark law consequences?
Many businesses sell products online through platforms such as Amazon and Bol.com. If a potential customer is looking for the product online, it is preferable that ends up with the right seller. But what if another company also sells these products under (almost) the same name?
Fraudulent invoices are an ineradicable pest in our business, it is getting worse and worse. Recently invoices were sent using the logos of the official trademark authorities like BOIP, EUIPO and WIPO. These invoices featured charges for local advertisement in remote places but also for a renewals at registers of existing trademarks but for ridiculously high prices. The parties involved are no petty thieves or small criminals.
Tony Chocolonely recently started a campaign in order to expose slavery and child labor in the world of cocoa. The goal is to end this sort of abuse. By offering chocolate bars in wraps very similar to the trade dress of competitors, these companies suddenly and unintentionally find themselves in the spotlight. The look and feel of the used packaging will immediately be recognized as Twix, Toblerone, Kitkat and Ferrero Rocher. Is this allowed?
As an introduction of the brand Picnic, the company launched a viral parody of the Jumbo commercials featuring Max Verstappen. Celebrities popularity can be monetized. For that reason Max started legal proceedings against this use. Court agreed with Max and sentenced Picnic to total damages of € 150,000.
Brexit became a fact at the end of 2020. The consequences of this work in all directions. EU trade marks were automatically split in a national UK trademark (implicating double maintenance costs for the applicant). English lawyers are no longer entitled to act as representative and file EU trade marks (this must be done by a lawyer within the EU). But it also has big implications for pending issues.
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
