Blog & News

Do image rights exist in the UK?

Celebrities, sportspeople and entertainers alike often face a battle to prevent their personality and image being used without their consent. So, are they able to use an image right to…

Jukic v British Broadcasting Corporation & Anor [2025]

In Jukic v British Broadcasting Corporation & Anor [2025], the High Court considered claims of trade mark infringement, harassment, and copyright infringement brought by Ms Jukic against the BBC and…

Copyright and AI

In an attempt to better handle the emergence of artificial intelligence and the impact this is having on copyright and content creators, in December 2024, the government published proposals to…

Abbott v Sinocare – 3D Marks and Invalidity

The High Court has ruled in favour of Sinocare (the “Defendant”) in relation to Abbott Diabetes Care Inc’s (the “Claimant”) action for Section 10(2)(b) and Section S10 (3) trade mark…

BRIFFA’s response to the UK government’s consultation on AI and Copyright

As many readers will be aware, the government has recently launched a consultation on proposals to kickstart the UK economy using AI. This is a contentious issue as AI developers…

A significant step for mediation: DKH Retail and others v City Football Group Ltd

A recent order from the High Court in a trade mark dispute is being widely reported after the court used new powers under the amended Civil Procedure Rules to order…

EasyGuide Does Not Provide an Easy Guide On Trade Mark Revocation Proceedings

In the UK, trade marks can be revoked for “non-use” where, you guessed it, they have not been put to use for the goods or services registered under it. If…

EU Design Reform: Key Changes

The European Union’s Design Reform Package, published on 18 November 2024, marks a significant step forward in modernising intellectual property protection. Effective from 1 May 2025, the reforms introduce sweeping…

Just Short of the Mark: R 362/2024-2, SEVEN SPA v Jakob Simon International GmbH

How broad is the scope of protection in two letter stylised marks? This was the question that the EU Board of Appeal (“EU BoA”) had to determine in SEVEN SPA…

Celebrating 30 Years of Briffa

January 2025 is a particularly significant month for Briffa because it marks the firm’s 30th anniversary. In January 1995, Margaret Briffa decided to set up her own firm because she noticed…

Battle of the ciders – has Aldi pushed the infringement boundaries too far this time?

The Court of Appeal says yes, with its recent unanimous decision in Thatchers Cider Company v Aldi Stores [2025] EWCA Civ 5. Briffa previously reported on the case of Thatchers…

Can I Register My Trade Mark Worldwide? A Simple Guide

A common question our clients ask is: “Can I register my trade mark worldwide?” The straightforward answer is no, there is no global trade mark registration that covers every country.…

How can I protect my art from being scraped by GenAI?

Generative AI, or GenAI as it’s popularly known, has been a thorn in the side of creatives for the last couple of years, many of whom have seen their art…

Costs at the UK Intellectual Property Office Trade Mark Tribunal

The trade mark tribunal at the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) hears disputes relating to the registration of trade marks which include opposition, invalidity and revocation proceedings. It offers a…

John Lydon vs. Dennis Morris: The Battle Over the PiL Logo

The ongoing legal dispute between John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, and photographer Dennis Morris has taken another turn as both parties submit revised legal…

The value of an appeal in IP disputes

The recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited is one of a long line of judgments which serve to remind parties…

More time required to decide which countries to apply to for IP protection? Claim priority

Claiming priority is a handy tool that allows you to back-date the date of protection of your IP rights (e.g. trade marks, patents and registered designs) in multiple territories to…

Is it really the “entire agreement”?

So, you think you’ve come to an agreement with someone. You’ve had lots of discussions with them, back and forth emails and calls and you’ve noted some of the key…

Design Disclosure and Grace Periods: Guide for Designers

When considering the public disclosure of a new design—whether through social media, exhibitions, or other avenues—timing is very important for securing your design rights. In the UK and EU, designers…

Certification marks, what are they and how do they work?

Certification marks are powerful and, arguably, underutilised intellectual property rights. Unlike traditional trade marks, which signify origin, certification marks serve an important role in indicating that goods or services meet…

Which hypothetical person is relevant to my IP dispute?

Those who have been involved in an IP dispute in a UK court may be aware of the hypothetical person test. In order to determine whether IP has been infringed,…

“MARICON PERDIDO” Trade Mark Denied: Morality and Distinctiveness in EUIPO’s Latest Decision

The Grand Board of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) recently ruled that the Spanish phrase “MARICON PERDIDO” (“hopeless faggot”) cannot be registered as a trade mark under Article…

An unlikely warrior

Cú Chulainn, Conor McGregor, Katie Taylor … Ireland is known for its fearless warriors. Well, they can all step aside for the newest champion: Supermac’s. Humble beginnings Supermac’s was founded…

What if I find a non-UK domain name using my trade mark?

Domain name disputes have become increasingly common in the digital age, where a domain name can be a valuable asset for businesses and individuals alike. These disputes often arise when…