Blog & News

What is copyright infringement, and how do I avoid it?

  What is copyright? At its most basic, copyright is the right to prevent people from copying your work. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (“CDPA”), copyright will…

The role of AI in the new media landscape

Following on from our recent series of blogs examining some of the challenges posed by AI in the new media landscape, including AI vs Copyright and The Sincerest Form Of…

Superdry v Manchester City FC: Trade Mark Infringement Claim

Superdry recently issued a trade mark infringement and passing off claim against Manchester City Football Club (“MCFC”) in relation to MCFC’s use of the sign ‘Asahi Super “DRY” 0.0%’ on…

Match Group, LLC v MuzMatch Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 454

The Court of Appeal has upheld Match Group’s (the “Claimants”) action for trade mark infringement and passing off against MuzMatch (the “Defendants”) in relation to the use of the word…

Naming Your Brand After A Celebrity

It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to consider leveraging the fame of a celebrity or historical figure to boost their brand’s appeal. But before you slap a famous name on your…

Trade Marks and E-commerce: Protecting Your Brand Online

In today’s increasingly digital marketplace, e-commerce has become a vital channel for businesses to reach customers and drive sales. With the rise of online retail, protecting a brand’s identity and…

Release Forms in Podcasting

When it comes to podcasting, featuring individuals and their brand identifiers is a common practice. However, ensuring legal compliance and protecting both parties involved is paramount. Release forms can play…

Lookalike Competition: Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited

  Aldi is certainly not afraid to test the boundaries of trade mark infringement and make an enemy of well-loved brands. Such is the story in a recent case between…

Trade Mark Opposition – TM7A and Beyond

Once you have filed your trade mark application, and it has been examined and published by the examiner at the UKIPO, it will be published in the trade marks journal…

Intellectual Property Rights – Greeting Card Industry

Nowadays, greeting cards is a saturated market, however this does not mean that you do not have any rights in the cards you design.  It is reported that 76% of…

What does a trademark protect?

As specialist IP lawyers we get asked two main questions in terms a trademarks: 1. What is a trademark? 2. What does a trademark protect? A trade mark is a…

Importance of Registering your Designs

  When undertaking an intellectual property audit of their business, designers often overlook registered designs. However, having your products protected by registered designs has multiple advantages. UK registered design protects…

How to use a trade mark

You filed the application, waited patiently through the opposition period, then waited a little longer for the registration certificate (which is now framed on the office wall) but now what…how…

Debunking Misconceptions About Registered Design Rights in the UK

Registered design rights are a valuable form of intellectual property protection that play a critical role in safeguarding the visual appearance of products. However, there are several misconceptions surrounding registered…

How to tackle a domain dispute in the UK

If you have a complaint related to a domain name in the UK, you may need to follow the dispute resolution process provided by the domain registry or registrar. The…

Do I need a Cookie Policy on my website?

In today’s digital age, websites play a crucial role in connecting businesses with their audience. However, as the online ecosystem evolves, so do the legal requirements governing website operations. One…

Understanding the Use Requirement for Maintaining a Trade Mark Registration in the UK

In today’s competitive business environment, establishing a strong market presence is crucial for success. For businesses, their trade mark serves as a symbol of their brand’s identity, and obtaining a…

How do trade mark classes work?

The scope of protection offered by trade marks is, by design, limited. The idea being that it should be possible for identical marks to co-exist on the same register providing…

Trade Mark Appeals to the Appointed Person

The Appointed Person is, as the name would suggest, a person appointed by the Ministry of Justice to hear and determine (in a trade mark context) appeals from the UK…

The role of AI in anti-counterfeit technology

Following on from our recent series of blogs examining some of the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (‘AI’) (here, here), commentators are becoming increasingly optimistic as to some of the…

Can I use someone else’s trade mark?

A trade mark owner has a legal right to prevent you from using their registered mark without their permission. However, while that is the ‘default rule’, there are many circumstances…

Mickey Mouse and Disney Trade Marks

I’m friends with a couple who are OBSESSED with Disney. They’ve seen all the movies. They know all the songs. They’ve been on multiple trips to multiple Disneylands in multiple…

Social Media Handles – Are they infringing on your rights?

In the era of social media dominance, establishing a distinctive online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. Yet, the digital landscape is not without its challenges, especially when…

The Perils of Signing Legal Undertakings without Legal Advice

Picture this: you open your mailbox, and there it is—an unexpected letter of claim, asserting trade mark infringement. The pressure to resolve the matter quickly may lead to the receipt…