Opinion
Our latest views, comments and analysis on all things intangible.
Merry Christmas from Stobbs!
December 22, 2017
Merry Christmas from Stobbs!
Kluwer trademark blog – Pick your battles! Localised goodwill defeats later UKTM
December 21, 2017
Kluwer trademark blog – Pick your battles! Localised goodwill defeats later UKTM
Food & Drink Trademarks Brand Extension (licensing) Disputes
The Twelve Fake Days of Christmas
December 19, 2017
The Twelve Fake Days of Christmas
Anti-Counterfeiting
Protecting artworks as trade marks: Contrary to public policy and accepted principles of morality?
December 15, 2017
Protecting artworks as trade marks: Contrary to public policy and accepted principles of morality?
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Arts & Entertainment
Stobbs in the CITMA Review – Snail mail is stopped
December 13, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review – Snail mail is stopped
Trademarks
New edition of the Nice Classification coming 1 January 2018
December 8, 2017
New edition of the Nice Classification coming 1 January 2018
The Brexit IP doomsday scenario spelled out – EUIPO gets frank with EUTM and RCD owners about what happens if the UK lands “no deal”
December 8, 2017
The Brexit IP doomsday scenario spelled out – EUIPO gets frank with EUTM and RCD owners about what happens if the UK lands “no deal”
Trademarks Brexit Designs & Copyright IP basics
Baby Steps towards UK Protection of TV Formats
December 6, 2017
Baby Steps towards UK Protection of TV Formats
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Arts & Entertainment Brand Extension (licensing) Commercial Contracts
Stobbs brand films now have a permanent home on our website!
December 5, 2017
Stobbs brand films now have a permanent home on our website!
Stobbs brand films - watch them again!
December 4, 2017
Stobbs brand films - watch them again!
The final Stobbs brand film is now ready for you to watch!
December 1, 2017
The final Stobbs brand film is now ready for you to watch!
Our second brand film has just gone live!
November 30, 2017
Our second brand film has just gone live!
The first Stobbs brand film has been released!
November 29, 2017
The first Stobbs brand film has been released!
Stobbs Brand Films - Coming soon!
November 28, 2017
Stobbs Brand Films - Coming soon!
Kluwer trademark blog - London taxi's iconic shape lacks distinctive character
November 27, 2017
Kluwer trademark blog - London taxi's iconic shape lacks distinctive character
Trademarks Automotive Disputes
Black Friday or Bleak Friday?
November 24, 2017
Black Friday or Bleak Friday?
Fashion Domains Telecoms Designs & Copyright Brand Intelligence Anti-Counterfeiting
BLACK FRIDAY brand enforcement deals
November 24, 2017
BLACK FRIDAY brand enforcement deals
Online Brand Enforcement Trademarks Disputes
Rangers Football Club in a scrum over registration of 'RFC'
November 22, 2017
Rangers Football Club in a scrum over registration of 'RFC'
Fashion Trademarks Sport Disputes
Sri Lanka and Indonesia are set to join the Madrid Protocol
November 20, 2017
Sri Lanka and Indonesia are set to join the Madrid Protocol
Trademarks
Brand ambassadors beware
November 16, 2017
Brand ambassadors beware
Advertising Celebrity Commercial Contracts
Does the Sky have a limit?
November 14, 2017
Does the Sky have a limit?
Food & Drink Trademarks Telecoms Disputes
A Tale of two C’s: Success for Chanel against an imitation of its famous interlocking C’s monogram
November 10, 2017
A Tale of two C’s: Success for Chanel against an imitation of its famous interlocking C’s monogram
Fashion Trademarks Designs & Copyright Disputes
Appeal dismissed in London taxi shape mark case
November 8, 2017
Appeal dismissed in London taxi shape mark case
Trademarks Automotive Disputes
An atomic breakthrough in combatting counterfeits…
October 23, 2017
An atomic breakthrough in combatting counterfeits…
Tech Anti-Counterfeiting Pharma
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Brexit: the silence is broken
October 19, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Brexit: the silence is broken
Brexit
Stobbs ranked Tier 1 in latest Legal 500
October 16, 2017
Stobbs ranked Tier 1 in latest Legal 500
New unjustified threats provisions a welcome change for brand owners
October 11, 2017
New unjustified threats provisions a welcome change for brand owners
Online Brand Enforcement Disputes IP basics
Can legal threats and ‘fun’ ever be used in the same sentence?
October 10, 2017
Can legal threats and ‘fun’ ever be used in the same sentence?
Food & Drink Advertising Disputes
EU Certification marks get off to a cautious start
October 9, 2017
EU Certification marks get off to a cautious start
Trademarks IP basics
Grand Designs and Kitchen Nightmares
October 4, 2017
Grand Designs and Kitchen Nightmares
Designs & Copyright Disputes
A Not So Unified Unitary Right
October 2, 2017
A Not So Unified Unitary Right
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
EU TM Reforms – final parts come into in force on 1 October 2017
September 28, 2017
EU TM Reforms – final parts come into in force on 1 October 2017
Trademarks
Kluwer trademark blog - UK IPO appeal VAPORIZED by Scottish courts
September 27, 2017
Kluwer trademark blog - UK IPO appeal VAPORIZED by Scottish courts
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
Michael Gleissner Strikes Again
September 22, 2017
Michael Gleissner Strikes Again
Online Brand Enforcement Trademarks Domains Disputes
UKIPO publishes its annual IP Crime and Enforcement Report
September 20, 2017
UKIPO publishes its annual IP Crime and Enforcement Report
Online Brand Enforcement Trademarks Brand Intelligence Anti-Counterfeiting Disputes
Stobbs in the CITMA Review – Visii prompts revisitation
September 18, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review – Visii prompts revisitation
Trademarks Disputes
Stobbs in the CITMA Review - Losing its marbles
September 12, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review - Losing its marbles
Trademarks Disputes
The EU27 set out their stall on post-Brexit IP
September 12, 2017
The EU27 set out their stall on post-Brexit IP
Brexit
Tiffany’s triumph costs Costco $19.4million
September 8, 2017
Tiffany’s triumph costs Costco $19.4million
Fashion Trademarks Disputes
A Kick Off the Old Block
August 31, 2017
A Kick Off the Old Block
Telecoms Designs & Copyright Sport Arts & Entertainment
Kluwer Trademark Blog - UK Supreme Court confirms there are no grey areas when it comes to grey goods
August 23, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - UK Supreme Court confirms there are no grey areas when it comes to grey goods
Trademarks Anti-Counterfeiting
The demand letter that went viral
August 21, 2017
The demand letter that went viral
Trademarks Travel Advertising Disputes
Amazon’s Alexa runs rings around the USPTO
August 17, 2017
Amazon’s Alexa runs rings around the USPTO
Trademarks Tech
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Brexit: UK law by UK judges?
August 14, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Brexit: UK law by UK judges?
Brexit
Thailand Joins the International Trade Mark System
August 11, 2017
Thailand Joins the International Trade Mark System
Trademarks IP basics
Stobbs in the CITMA Review – No shift on shape
August 9, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review – No shift on shape
Watch out - GC finds validity of Nike's RCD not affected by prior registered design
August 7, 2017
Watch out - GC finds validity of Nike's RCD not affected by prior registered design
Fashion Designs & Copyright Sport Disputes
Stobbs in the CITMA Review - Small but mighty
August 3, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review - Small but mighty
Trademarks Travel Disputes
MORTONS: A local club, for local people
July 31, 2017
MORTONS: A local club, for local people
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Should own name still be a valid defence for corporate entities?
July 27, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Should own name still be a valid defence for corporate entities?
Trademarks Brexit Tech Disputes
WEETABIX v WEET-BIX: A predictable trade mark battle?
July 21, 2017
WEETABIX v WEET-BIX: A predictable trade mark battle?
Food & Drink Trademarks Advertising Anti-Counterfeiting
Brazil Set to Join International Trade Mark System
July 18, 2017
Brazil Set to Join International Trade Mark System
Trademarks IP basics
The Appointed Person issues their first decision on a UK Registered Design
July 14, 2017
The Appointed Person issues their first decision on a UK Registered Design
Trademarks Designs & Copyright
BMW finishes first in appeal
July 11, 2017
BMW finishes first in appeal
Trademarks Automotive Disputes
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Brexit: Way forward no clearer following UK general election
July 10, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Brexit: Way forward no clearer following UK general election
Brexit
Is Louboutin walking a thin red line?
July 7, 2017
Is Louboutin walking a thin red line?
Fashion Trademarks Disputes
British IP Day: 5 July
July 5, 2017
British IP Day: 5 July
SINGHSBURY’S and MORRISINGHS: Harmless fun or flagrant infringement?
July 3, 2017
SINGHSBURY’S and MORRISINGHS: Harmless fun or flagrant infringement?
Food & Drink Trademarks Advertising Disputes
Celebrity brand endorsements on social media - what are the rules?
June 29, 2017
Celebrity brand endorsements on social media - what are the rules?
Advertising Celebrity Commercial Contracts
No protection in sight for Berkshire Eye Clinic
June 27, 2017
No protection in sight for Berkshire Eye Clinic
Trademarks
Kluwer Trademark Blog - UK: Court of Appeal Bars Nestlé’s Bar
June 23, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - UK: Court of Appeal Bars Nestlé’s Bar
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Force fight
June 22, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Force fight
Trademarks Disputes
Top-line treatment for IP on Radio 4's The Bottom Line
June 16, 2017
Top-line treatment for IP on Radio 4's The Bottom Line
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Anti-Counterfeiting Disputes Patents IP basics
Paternity test gives positive result for BÉBÉ LILLY
June 14, 2017
Paternity test gives positive result for BÉBÉ LILLY
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Celebrity Arts & Entertainment Disputes
UDRPs: Keeping the Faith in Bad Faith
June 9, 2017
UDRPs: Keeping the Faith in Bad Faith
Online Brand Enforcement Trademarks Domains
World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2017
June 7, 2017
World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2017
Anti-Counterfeiting
Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Bill receives Royal Assent
June 5, 2017
Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Bill receives Royal Assent
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Commercial Contracts Disputes Patents
YouTube and Google dealt a blow in Italy
June 1, 2017
YouTube and Google dealt a blow in Italy
Tech Designs & Copyright
ASA tackles a record number of adverts
May 26, 2017
ASA tackles a record number of adverts
Advertising
Liability as joint tortfeasor & the statute of limitation
May 24, 2017
Liability as joint tortfeasor & the statute of limitation
Trademarks
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Balancing the Scales: Costs Awards in UKIPO Proceedings
May 23, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Balancing the Scales: Costs Awards in UKIPO Proceedings
Trademarks
Stobbs and INCOPRO join forces to help brands protect their IP online
May 22, 2017
Stobbs and INCOPRO join forces to help brands protect their IP online
Online Brand Enforcement Anti-Counterfeiting
ASA rules Nivea Protect & Care advert not misleading
May 19, 2017
ASA rules Nivea Protect & Care advert not misleading
Advertising
KitKat: Two Fingers to Four Fingers
May 17, 2017
KitKat: Two Fingers to Four Fingers
Food & Drink Trademarks
UK set to join the Hague System in 2018
May 17, 2017
UK set to join the Hague System in 2018
Fashion Designs & Copyright IP basics
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Brexit: PM elects for another vote
May 12, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog – Brexit: PM elects for another vote
Brexit
New Classification Guidelines published by WIPO
May 9, 2017
New Classification Guidelines published by WIPO
Trademarks IP basics
The Second Bite of the Apple
May 4, 2017
The Second Bite of the Apple
Fashion Trademarks Tech Disputes
I’m a Soul (Group) Man
May 2, 2017
I’m a Soul (Group) Man
Fashion Trademarks Sport Disputes
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Cutting through the clutter
April 28, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Cutting through the clutter
Disputes
Stobbs Brand Intelligence supports launch of The City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit “IP Crime Directory”
April 26, 2017
Stobbs Brand Intelligence supports launch of The City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit “IP Crime Directory”
Anti-Counterfeiting IP basics
World IP Day Celebrations
April 26, 2017
World IP Day Celebrations
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Patents
Kluwer Trademark Blog – ZUMA in the Dog House
April 21, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog – ZUMA in the Dog House
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
Starring role for All Star in the General Court
April 19, 2017
Starring role for All Star in the General Court
Trademarks
China announces big reductions in official trade mark fees
April 13, 2017
China announces big reductions in official trade mark fees
Trademarks IP basics
Similar butt different
April 11, 2017
Similar butt different
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
BrewDog: down dog!
April 7, 2017
BrewDog: down dog!
Food & Drink Trademarks Advertising Disputes
.feedback Gets Just That
April 4, 2017
.feedback Gets Just That
Online Brand Enforcement Trademarks Domains
Exclusive: UK IPO to Divide Functions
April 1, 2017
Exclusive: UK IPO to Divide Functions
Economic Impact of Counterfeit Goods
March 31, 2017
Economic Impact of Counterfeit Goods
Anti-Counterfeiting Beauty Pharma
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Surprise defeat for the Tartan Army in Scotland
March 29, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Surprise defeat for the Tartan Army in Scotland
Fashion Trademarks Sport Arts & Entertainment Disputes
Site blocking orders evolve to combat live streaming
March 27, 2017
Site blocking orders evolve to combat live streaming
Telecoms Designs & Copyright Sport Arts & Entertainment
End of the road for UDRP for copyright?
March 22, 2017
End of the road for UDRP for copyright?
Online Brand Enforcement Domains Designs & Copyright
Don’t argos.com it, argos.co.uk it
March 20, 2017
Don’t argos.com it, argos.co.uk it
Online Brand Enforcement Trademarks Domains Advertising Disputes
Travel Fox outfoxed on genuine use
March 17, 2017
Travel Fox outfoxed on genuine use
Fashion Trademarks Disputes
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Sweden gets straight answer on genuine use
March 16, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Sweden gets straight answer on genuine use
Trademarks
An Apple A Day: Apple successful in oppositions against Pear device marks
March 15, 2017
An Apple A Day: Apple successful in oppositions against Pear device marks
Trademarks Tech Disputes
Sherlock's ulterior motive an abuse of process - 68 non-use actions against Apple's marks rejected by the UKIPO
March 13, 2017
Sherlock's ulterior motive an abuse of process - 68 non-use actions against Apple's marks rejected by the UKIPO
Trademarks Tech Disputes
Scent marks - Hasbro, Inc. apply to register 'the smell of Play-Doh'
March 10, 2017
Scent marks - Hasbro, Inc. apply to register 'the smell of Play-Doh'
Trademarks Toys
Review of United Kingdom Trade Marks and Design Decisions 2016
March 8, 2017
Review of United Kingdom Trade Marks and Design Decisions 2016
Food & Drink Trademarks Designs & Copyright Toys Pharma
Luxury brands boom in Britain
March 6, 2017
Luxury brands boom in Britain
Trademarks Brexit Anti-Counterfeiting
Not so lucky for LUCKY TEA
March 2, 2017
Not so lucky for LUCKY TEA
Food & Drink Trademarks Disputes
What does Brexit mean for ‘brand Britain’?
February 27, 2017
What does Brexit mean for ‘brand Britain’?
Brexit Advertising Brand Extension (licensing)
Keeping Up with the Kylies
February 24, 2017
Keeping Up with the Kylies
Trademarks Celebrity Disputes
A Chip off the old Block? ISPs Appeal Costs of Injunctions
February 22, 2017
A Chip off the old Block? ISPs Appeal Costs of Injunctions
Trademarks Domains Telecoms Designs & Copyright
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Go your own way - setting up your own IP business
February 20, 2017
Stobbs in the CITMA Review: Go your own way - setting up your own IP business
Trademarks Designs & Copyright Patents
Lest we forget… - the power of historic brands
February 17, 2017
Lest we forget… - the power of historic brands
Trademarks Brand Extension (licensing)
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Are you threatening me? Unjustified threats almost creep into EU trade mark enforcement
February 16, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Are you threatening me? Unjustified threats almost creep into EU trade mark enforcement
Trademarks Brexit Designs & Copyright Disputes Patents
Resurrection of iconic Tidyman brand
February 15, 2017
Resurrection of iconic Tidyman brand
Trademarks Advertising Brand Extension (licensing) Brand Structuring
Costs cap conquered by Part 36 offers
February 14, 2017
Costs cap conquered by Part 36 offers
Designs & Copyright Arts & Entertainment Disputes
Stobbs awarded Tier 1 status in Managing IP's IP Stars
February 10, 2017
Stobbs awarded Tier 1 status in Managing IP's IP Stars
Reputation v Goodwill: IPEC Draws the Line
February 9, 2017
Reputation v Goodwill: IPEC Draws the Line
Trademarks Celebrity Commercial Contracts Disputes
Google knocks Apple off the top spot as the world’s most valuable brand
February 7, 2017
Google knocks Apple off the top spot as the world’s most valuable brand
Tech Brand Valuation Brand Intelligence Brand Structuring
Changes to the Trade Mark Law in Turkey
February 3, 2017
Changes to the Trade Mark Law in Turkey
Trademarks
Stobbs ‘highly recommended’ by World Trademark Review
February 1, 2017
Stobbs ‘highly recommended’ by World Trademark Review
Reminder: 28 January brings Copyright Changes & New Liabilities
January 27, 2017
Reminder: 28 January brings Copyright Changes & New Liabilities
Online Brand Enforcement Designs & Copyright Arts & Entertainment IP basics
Alibaba cracks down on counterfeiters
January 26, 2017
Alibaba cracks down on counterfeiters
Online Brand Enforcement Anti-Counterfeiting
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Brexit: Safety engaged on Art.50 trigger
January 24, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Brexit: Safety engaged on Art.50 trigger
Brexit
The art of confusion: Shop Art v Art
January 23, 2017
The art of confusion: Shop Art v Art
Fashion Trademarks
Trade Mark Battle of TITANTIC proportions
January 19, 2017
Trade Mark Battle of TITANTIC proportions
Trademarks Travel Disputes
ISPs to send warning letters to users who illegally download copyright material
January 17, 2017
ISPs to send warning letters to users who illegally download copyright material
Designs & Copyright Arts & Entertainment
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Brexit: Pulling the (art.50) trigger
January 17, 2017
Kluwer Trademark Blog - Brexit: Pulling the (art.50) trigger
Brexit
Jo Johnson appointed as new Minister for IP
January 16, 2017
Jo Johnson appointed as new Minister for IP
Trademarks Brexit Designs & Copyright Patents
Pop Fizz Clink! MHCS Société En Commandite Simple v Polistas Ltd
January 13, 2017
Pop Fizz Clink! MHCS Société En Commandite Simple v Polistas Ltd
Food & Drink Trademarks Brand Extension (licensing) Commercial Contracts Disputes
UKIPO Fast Facts for 2017
January 11, 2017
UKIPO Fast Facts for 2017
Trademarks IP basics
Michael Jordan’s (Partial) Trade Mark Win in China – Unjamming it for Foreign Brands
January 10, 2017
Michael Jordan’s (Partial) Trade Mark Win in China – Unjamming it for Foreign Brands
Fashion Food & Drink Trademarks Sport Celebrity Disputes
Fake degree websites shut down
January 6, 2017
Fake degree websites shut down
Trademarks Anti-Counterfeiting
A Nice start to the new year
January 4, 2017
A Nice start to the new year
Trademarks