Blog & News

Preparing for the new normal – COVID-19 and IP

As this global crisis changes from a short to a long term-issue businesses are starting to prepare for the new normal. For some, this may involve quite a major pivot…

Domain Dispute Don’ts

Briffa was recently involved in a Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) which raised some novel points and ultimately resulted in a finding of reverse domain name hijacking (RDNH) against the…

Intellectual Property Sharing in the face of pandemic

A number of businesses, universities and scientists are changing their approach to the intellectual property rights management in a concerted effort to fight the Coronavirus pandemic. Traditionally intellectual property rights…

Data Breach and Vicarious Liability

In a landmark case, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that supermarket chain Morrisons is not vicariously liable for a deliberate data breach committed by a former rogue employee, who…

Bonzo Dog Dispute shows how emotions must not be brought to court

In November 2019 the 1960’s rock artists ‘The Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band’ won the right to carry on performing under that name. The story is, at its heart, a…

The death of the Copyright Directive in the UK. Who will honour its memory and strive for better rights for creatives

About this time last year there were still pages of daily newsprint warning about the dire consequences that would befall our United Kingdom if we left the European Union without…

IP & Commercial Work Out

As the lockdown continues many of us are finding new and creative ways to get fit, whether it’s our one outing a day or jumping up and down in the…

Have Harry and Megan messed up again? Is Archewell properly protected against opportunists?

Have Megan  and Harry messed up again? No, I am not talking about the reported disintegrating relations with the Royal Family or taking trips on private jets while lecturing us all about…

The Changing Face of Intellectual Property. Designer forgoes intellectual property rights to help fight virus

Last month I looked at whether in times of global crisis the attitude on how we share intellectual property may change. I reflected that ‘big pharma’ may see fit to co-operate with each…

Another 6 Lashes – Tiffany & Co block beautician’s application for ‘Cotswold lashes by Tiffany’

Way back in October 2018 we reported on the plight of Tiffany Palmer a Gloucester beautician who had applied for the trade mark ‘Cotswold Lashes by Tiffany’ for her salon…

Copyright Infringement and Tattoos

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York has just issued their summary judgement in a case surrounding alleged copyright infringement of NBA players tattoos. As a…

Dark Horse Dispute Runs On

If you have been keeping track of our updates on this case here then you will know that at the end of last year, a federal jury found against Katy…

Classic Copyright Cases – Katy Perry

I’m back again with another Classic Copyright Case, live and direct from my bedroom. I hope you are all keeping well in these challenging times and developing countless new hobbies…

Briefing note: What can I do if Covid-19 is causing problems to my company’s commercial contracts?

As Covid-19 continues to have an impact on the global supply chain, we consider how it may affect clients’ commercial contracts and which contractual provisions they can rely on to…

Working from home – top tips for the lockdown

Whilst the world adapts to a new normal many of us are trying to get accustomed to working from home. WFH used to be a bit of a perk, now…

Intellectual property in a changed world

Will the current crisis bring about lasting change to the way in which we use Intellectual Property? We look at the areas where a little bit of altruism may go…

Coronavirus & IP

We are living in unprecedented times, due to the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) travel across the EU has been suspended, London tubes are running a reduced service and, unfortunately, many…

How to protect a TV format

Game show formats and reality TV shows like Love Island and Big Brother have been extremely popular not only in the UK, but also internationally. Format rights are therefore important…

Classic Copyright Cases – Stairway to Heaven

I write with some fantastic news this week. You may be familiar with the Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven dispute which has been going on for longer than I care…

The artist formerly known as Joe Lycett

I love Joe Lycett. His dry wit never fails to disappoint. In particular, his stories about: tracking down a lost cat who answers to the name Samantha Peterson; writing a…

Child Data Privacy Code

The ICO have published the final version of its Age Appropriate Design Code (“the code”), which sets out the standards that online services need to meet in order to protect…

FACK JU, EUIPO

Back in April 2015, the film studio behind German comedy film “Fack Ju Göhte” did what film studios are expected to do in that situation– they filed a trade mark…

Making mass produced products protectable by copyright

The High Court has recently set out a new test and some helpful guidance as to whether 3D objects are protected by copyright as works of artistic craftsmanship. The upshot…

Imperial Enterprise Lab: Helping Students get to Grips with Intellectual Property

The Imperial Enterprise Lab is an impressive physical and intellectual space where student innovators and entrepreneurs are inspired to put their creative skills and abilities into practice with a view…