The Benelux Trade Mark Office (BOIP) has decided to refuse the registration of the mark Allah. The mark was applied for clothes. Strange is not the refusal, but the reasoning for it. In countries such as Switzerland, the trademark would be rejected because it is contrary to public order and morality. For this reason, in recent years in Switzerland trademarks like MADONNA and BUDDHA were refused.
In the Benelux trademark law has no provision on signs that no one should claim. Think of religious or cultural symbols with great symbolic value, as the name Allah, Yahweh or God.
This deficiency is now artificially overcome by refusing the trademark because it is not distinctive. Logically it should have been (for lack of a proper legal provision) refused, because it is contrary to public order and morality.
Call us: 071-5763116 or send an e-mail to: info@abcor-ip.com
Abcor specializes in applying for trademark and design rights. We do this worldwide for both SMEs and international companies, but often everything starts with an initial Benelux application. Our aim is to relieve the client of all the worries, which is why we take care of all the steps, from initial advice on what to apply for and how, right through to registration.
In addition to applying for trademarks, we also manage portfolios for our clients. We ensure that trademarks are renewed on time, that the right organizations are paid (given the many fraudulent companies), and we support our clients on issues.
In addition, we are sparring partners for our customers on new products and how to shape and claim new ideas.
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
Frambozenweg 109-111
Postbus 2134
2301 CC LEIDEN
Tel: 071-5763116
Fax: 071-5768947
E-mail: info@abcor-ip.com
Visiting address Southern part of The Netherlands
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5038 CH TILBURG
Visiting address Belgium
Rubensstraat 104/59
TURNHOUT 2300
Abcor is a member of the following industry and quality organizations: Benelux Association of Trademark and Design Law, International Trademark Association, Advertising Law Association.
