Blog & News

Marvel Films and Registering Trade Marks

Whilst we await part two of Marvel’s (currently untitled) sequel to ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, focus shifts to the upcoming stand-alone films and how they may add to the ‘Infinity War’…

The UK moves towards the unitary patent

On 26 April 2018 (“World IP Day”) the UK’s IP Minister Sam Gyimah announced that the UK has, at long last, ratified the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Agreement. Why does…

GDPR: privacy by design costs nothing

The GDPR, which I’m sure you have heard about by now, comes into force by 25 May 2018. We have written a series of articles regarding the most important matters…

Breaking Bud is knee deep in “Breaking Bad” trade mark infringement

Earlier this month, Sony sued Knee Deep Brewing arguing that the brewer intentionally imitated the “Breaking Bad” logo and other design elements in order to benefit unfairly from the popular…

When Passing Off Gets Prickly

(1) Henry Martinez t/a PRICK (2) Henry Hate Studio & Prick Tattoo Parlour Limited -v- (1) Prick Me Baby One More Time Limited t/a PRICK (2) Gynelle Leon Warning to…

Let’s talk about copyright…

Copyright is a legal right which comes in handy for those of you who like to create. Whether it be writing, photographing or inventing once your idea is physically expressed…

Riding on the Surfer’s Wave of Reputation and Goodwill – How Pepsi popped bubbles of a look-a-like coke brand

PepsiCo successfully fizzed the bubbles out of a ‘look-a-like’ cola brand after winning a cancellation and invalidity application against Singapore-based Ten Yun International’s trade mark at the UK Intellectual Property…

Knowledge Quarter and Briffa host Tim Moss Comptroller General IPO and learn a thing or two

This month we had the pleasure of co-hosting our own Knowledge Quarter Breakfast Briefing. Our very special guest was none other than Mr Tim Moss CBE Chief Executive Officer of the UK…

Trade Wars and Trade Marks – a timely reminder

Recent commentary has made much of the impending “trade war” between the US and China, largely the result of what Donald Trump claims is a concerted effort to protect US…

Blurring the lines between inspiration, imitation and infringement of copyright

Earlier this month, a US appeals court upheld an earlier finding by a trial court in the US that Robin Thicke’s song “Blurred Lines” infringed on the copyright in Marvin…

3 myths about confidential information

Uber has recently agreed to pay Waymo a settlement of $245 million in a trade secret dispute involving the use of information concerning driverless car technology, unlawfully disclosed by an…

Artist sues Kendrick Lamar & SZA for Copyright Infringement

An independent artist, by the name of Lina Iris Viktor, recently claimed that Kendrick Lamar copied her gold patterned paintings in the ‘All The Stars’ video made for the film…

Grumpy Cat wins $710,000 in copyright and trade mark infringement claim

Anyone would be grumpy if their IP was infringed, cat or otherwise, and so it comes as no surprise that Grumpy Cat Limited recently sued the owners of US coffee…

The Hague System, soon available for UK Registered Designs

One of the ways of potentially trying to protect the 3D shape of a product (assuming it meets the requirements) is to apply for a registered design. There are two…

Crocs shoe design has massive legal hole – how not to go about protecting your design!

Love them or hate them the recent ruling by the European Court of Justice against the shoe brand Crocs drives home an important principle of design law. That is, you…

New Balance wins $1.5 million in landmark Chinese trade mark case

A Chinese court has ruled that three domestic shoe makers must pay New Balance $1.5 million in damages and legal costs for infringing the American sportswear company’s signature slanting “N”…

Apple gets sued over animoji trade mark

Apple’s animoji feature allows users to animate the facial expressions of emoji’s using facial recognition technology which will be included on the iPhone X. Tokyo based Emonster KK sued Apple…

London Fashion Week – Post-Brexit

With the return of London Fashion Week and the uncertainty of Brexit still looming, there has been speculation about what Britain’s inevitable split from the EU will mean for London’s…

GDPR: No consent required, but what is “legitimate interest”?

Last week I wrote about why “consent”, in many cases, will not be required from data subjects in order to process data under the GDPR. In brief, there are many…

PLANE PAL and FLY TOT – airplane pillow design dispute

The PLANE PAL product and the FLY TOT product Samantha Cardone designed and developed the Plane Pal inflatable cushion with a view to helping children sleep better on planes. Winnie…

Threats are just so EASY to make

Last month the High Court handed down its lengthy judgment in W3 Limited v Easygroup Ltd [2018] EWHC 7 (Ch), which was generally in relation to W3’s infringement of Easygroup’s…

BriffaWay – My Feminist Credentials

This month we have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the passing of an Act of Parliament giving women over 30 the right to vote. This most welcome of milestones…

Diesel fakes it …. after making it

If you’re looking for a knock-off version of your favourite branded luxury designer item Canal Street has long been the place to visit in New York. With its small shops,…

GDPR – Why you DON’T need to obtain Consent

Four months and counting… The GDPR comes into force on 25 May. Widely publicised as one of the biggest legal shake-ups in years, many businesses are understandably apprehensive about how…