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IPR Tag

SURANA & SURANA > Posts tagged "IPR"

26 March

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IPR NEWS – MARCH

Posted by Surana

Huawei Secures Patent Agreements with Vivo and Amazon Huawei has inked significant patent agreements with leading tech companies, Vivo and Amazon. The deals involve cross-licensing intellectual property to foster innovation and avoid potential legal disputes. The agreement with Vivo includes the exchange of patents related to smartphones, promoting collaboration and technological advancements in the competitive mobile industry. Simultaneously, Huawei's patent deal with Amazon focuses on a broader range of technologies, supporting both companies' commitment to innovation in diverse fields. These agreements highlight Huawei's strategic approach to intellectual property, fostering cooperation while protecting its technological assets. The collaborations aim to advance research and development...

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19 February

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GREEN INNOVATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Nihaarika Prudhvi, Associate - Intellectual Property Rights Practice Over the past decade, green innovation literature has evolved and expanded in response to its widespread and essential applications alongside the advancement of environmental awareness and the provision of green services, in this article let us learn more about green innovation and IP rights. GREEN INNOVATION: Green innovation is the process of developing and implementing technologies that reduce the environmental impact of human activities. Green innovation can help address the challenges of climate change, pollution, resource depletion, biodiversity loss and social inequality. Green innovation can also create new opportunities for economic growth, job creation and...

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29 January

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IP COMMERCIALIZATION

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Revathi P (Patent) – Associate, IP Practice I. Introduction: IP Commercialisation is the process of bringing the IPRs to the market to get them exploited in return for business profits and growth. Once the IPRs are duly protected through registration, commercialisation of the same should immediately commence so as to recoup the investment made to develop or acquire them and protect them. Thus, IP commercialization/monetization means making the intellectual property (IPR) marketable and profitable. II. Steps for IP Commercialization: a. Market Analysis b. IP Audit c. IP Valuation d. Financing and raising capitals using IPRs Now let us discuss these steps in detail. a. Market Analysis: The term “market” refers...

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12 December

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EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Nihaarika Prudhvi, Associate – Intellectual Property Rights Practice Introduction: Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and biodiversity are two distinct domains that often intersect, giving rise to complex legal, ethical, and environmental considerations. As human activities continue to affect biodiversity across the globe, understanding the relationship between IPRs and biodiversity becomes ever more crucial. This article aims to delve into the various ways in which IPRs are linked to biodiversity, exploring the potential challenges and opportunities that arise from their intersections. 1. The Role of IPRs in Biodiversity Conservation: Intellectual Property Rights, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, serve as legal instruments that incentivize innovation and...

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23 November

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Concept of Dynamic Injunctions and an overview of landmark Cases Shaping Dynamic Injunctions in India

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in IPR

P. Saranya, Senior Associate, IP Practice Introduction: The proliferation of digital technology has revolutionized the way we consume and distribute content. However, with this advancement, digital piracy has also become a pervasive issue, posing significant challenges to creators, copyright holders, and the entertainment industry at large. In India, combating digital piracy has been a priority, and one of the legal tools that has gained prominence in recent years is the concept of dynamic injunctions. This article delves into the legal framework surrounding dynamic injunctions in India, analysing landmark cases that have shaped this approach to combat digital piracy. I. Understanding Digital Piracy in...

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27 September

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IPR NEWS – SEPTEMBER

Posted by Surana

Renowned Authors, Including Grisham and Martin, Sue OpenAI Over Copyright Concerns Seventeen prominent authors, including John Grisham, George R.R. Martin, and Jodi Picoult, have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement. The authors claim that OpenAI's language model, GPT-3, is being used to generate content that mimics their writing style, posing a threat to their intellectual property. The lawsuit contends that OpenAI's GPT-3 generates text that closely resembles the authors' work, potentially leading to confusion among readers and devaluing their unique literary voices. The authors seek to protect their creative works and maintain control over their intellectual property rights. OpenAI...

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26 September

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IMPORTANCE OF IP VALUATION: UNLOCKING THE TRUE VALUE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Posted by Surana

in IPR

IMPORTANCE OF IP VALUATION

Nihaarika Prudhvi, Trainee – Intellectual Property Rights Practice INTRODUCTION: In today's knowledge-driven economy intellectual property (IP) has become an asset for businesses across various industries. IP assets such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and designs can represent a significant portion of a company's worth. However accurately assessing the value of these assets can be a complex task. This is where IP valuation comes into play. IP valuation enables businesses to understand and quantify the value of their intangible assets aiding in strategic decision-making transactions and legal matters. So, basically this article helps the readers to gain a little knowledge about IP...

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28 August

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Application of the Doctrine of Territoriality in Protection of Trademarks – An analysis in view of the US Supreme Court’s Decision in Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc.

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Application of the Doctrine of Territoriality in Protection of TradeMarks

Balaji. P, Principal Associate, IP Practice The trademark territoriality principle has long been a fundamental aspect of international intellectual property laws, governing the scope and protection of trade marks across borders. Recently, the US Supreme Court's decision in Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc. has brought renewed attention to this principle and its significance in the global trade and commerce. This article aims to examine the position of the territoriality principle in India with a focus on relevant case laws and explore the implications of the US Supreme Court's ruling. Introduction: The trademark territoriality doctrine is a well-established and recognized principle of...

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21 August

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PATENT DOCKETING

Posted by Surana

in IPR

PATENT DOCKETING

Saranya K - Associate, IP Practice INTRODUCTION In the fast-paced world of intellectual property (IP) management, patent docketing plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient processing of patent applications. Patent docketing involves the systematic recording, tracking, and management of patent-related documents, deadlines, and actions. This article explores the importance of patent docketing, its key components, and the benefits it brings to inventors, patent attorneys, and organizations. WHAT IS PATENT DOCKETING? Patent docketing is the process of managing and organizing patent-related information, including documents, deadlines, and actions, in a structured and systematic manner. It involves creating an electronic or physical repository that...

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16 August

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REBRANDING- AN IP PERSPECTIVE

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Rakshana MK- Associate IP Practice “Rebranding”, seems like a term that’s been buzzing around us largely in recent times right! We are witnesses to Facebook’s transformation into Meta[1] and Twitter’s transformation into X[2], but ever wondered what impact such rebranding has on the Intellectual Properties that the companies own? This article attempts to understand the effects of rebranding from an IP viewpoint and draws out some lookouts for an efficient rebranding process. What does the term Rebranding mean? A verbatim interpretation of the term simply means to give a brand a new look and projection before its consumers with the intention to...

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09 August

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PATENTABILITY VS. FREEDOM TO OPERATE

Posted by Surana

in IPR

PATENTABILITY VS. FREEDOM TO OPERATE

Nihaarika Prudhvi, Trainee – Intellectual Property Rights Practice Securing a patent for an invention is an important step toward protecting your intellectual property (IP) rights, as it allows you to prevent others from making, using, or selling your invention and claiming it as their own. However, before marketing and selling a finished product, make sure you have the Freedom to Operate (FTO). Owners may not be able to make, use, or sell your invention without the FTO. The FTO is especially important in industries such as biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Chemical products and companies entering foreign markets are few of the...

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07 August

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IPR AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME

Posted by Surana

in IPR

IPR AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME

N. Vignesh Kumaran Senior Associate & Patent Agent, Intellectual Property Practice IPR Intellectual property (IP) includes intangible creations of the human intellect, which can be an idea, invention, literary creation, unique name, business method, industrial process, chemical formula, and computer program. The IP is considered an important part of economic, social, and cultural development, laws have been created throughout the world to define and protect the rights of those who develop IP through patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, and are enforced primarily through civil action and criminal prosecution. WHITE COLLAR CRIME White-collar crime is commonly known as financially motivated, nonviolent crime committed by businesses and government professionals.The...

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27 July

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IPR NEWS – JULY

Posted by Surana

Overstock to rebrand as Bed Bath & Beyond after buying brand's intellectual property In a transformative acquisition, online retail giant Overstock has revealed plans to undergo a complete rebranding, adopting the name of the renowned home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond after purchasing the brand's intellectual property. This strategic move aims to bolster Overstock's market position and broaden its product offerings. By aligning itself with Bed Bath & Beyond's well-established reputation for quality home essentials and leveraging its name recognition, Overstock seeks to tap into a loyal customer base and enhance its competitive edge in the retail sector. Barbie Vs BRBY Mattel...

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18 July

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A Case for Compulsory Licensing: Balancing Access and Intellectual Property Rights

Posted by Surana

in IPR

A Case for Compulsory Licensing

Sonam Nanda Advocate, Surana & Surana International Attorneys INTRODUCTION The Copyright Act, 1957 plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of creators, authors, producers, performers, and their works. Nevertheless, under certain circumstances, the exclusive rights granted to copyright holders can impede the accessibility of their works to the general public. In order to strike a balance between the protection of intellectual property and the promotion of public interest and rights, Section 31 of the Copyright Act, 1957 was established. Subsequently, several clarifications were introduced to enhance its scope, namely Section 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D. This article aims to analyse the concept...

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06 July

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Parle loses its battle against Cadbury before the Delhi High Court and restrained from manufacturing and selling its FAB!O Biscuits

Posted by Surana

in IPR

P. Saranya Senior Associate, IP Practice In the modern era, Advertising plays a significant role for the reach and success of a product among the common public. People before coining/adopting a brand always use their intellect to develop the products which are distinctive and unique in nature and have not been in the market earlier. This Article will give you the complete details about the concept of trade dress and its infringements in India. Here is the case of “The Intercontinental Brands v Parle product pvt ltd” [2023 DHC 953] wherein the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi restrained the Defendant from using the...

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17 March

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PATENT PROTECTION IN THE FIELD OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY

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in IPR

PATENT PROTECTION IN THE FIELD OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY

Nihaarika Prudhvi, Trainee - Intellectual Property Rights Practice INTRODUCTION: Since we live in a scientific era, it is important that we understand several aspects of rapidly developing field of nanobiotechnology, including patent protection. Nanoscience is the study of marvels and manipulation of material at the nanoscale, in substance an extension of being lores into the nanoscale. Accoutrements reduced to the nanoscale can suddenly show veritably different parcels compared to what they show on a macroscale. With Nanotechnology, a large set of accoutrements with distinct parcels (optic, electrical or glamorous) can be fabricated. The lower a nanoparticle gets, the larger its relative face area...

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20 February

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PATENTING OF MICROORGANISMS & GENES

Posted by Surana

in IPR

PATENTING OF MICROORGANISMS & GENES

VERSHA YADAV Patent Agent /Patent Associate, Surana & Surana International Attorneys ABSTRACT In the 21st century, it is becoming increasingly clear that access to cutting-edge technologies and discoveries can be the difference between progress and failure in the business world. This has led to a rise in patenting of various microorganisms, genes, and viruses. Although, the government of India permitted patenting of microorganisms in India under the Patents Bill (Second Amendment) on 14th May 2002. The government of India has so far granted many patents for microorganisms, and various pharmaceutical companies and research institutes have filed an application for patenting of microorganisms. But patenting...

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13 February

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WTR 1000 2023

Posted by Surana

WTR 1000 SSIA Awards - IPR News

The World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 2023, focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go to' resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise. India continues to foster innovations and, since last year, has climbed to the 40th place in WIPO's Global Innovation Index. The 301 Report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative maintained India's ranking as one of the seven countries where protecting and enforcing IP rights presents a major challenge. The report praised improvements to the efficiency of online IP enforcement, reduced examination times for patent and trademarks and increased...

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11 February

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The FIFA IP Law : Qatar’s Ticket To A Booming Economy

Posted by Surana

in SSIA

FIFA IP Law

Chinna Aswathy Abraham, Associate, Dispute Prevention and Resolution Practice S. Nagarjun, Student Intern Introduction: Organizing and staging a global sporting event is no small feat. The strategic use of trademarks and other commercial rights helps generate the revenue streams required to fund such events (1).With the increasing commercialisation of sports, large corporations and brands are keen on enhancing the fan experience by making sporting events accessible to every household, be it in the form of live broadcasting of these events or by way of sports merchandising. The Federation Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) World Cup is the world's largest single-sport event and the World...

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31 January

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EXPEDITED EXAMINATION AND PROCESSING OF TRADE MARK APPLICATIONS – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Balaji P L.L.M., Principal Associate, Surana & Surana International Attorneys Introduction The examination of trade mark application is the pivotal stage in the process of ascertaining registrability of the applied mark by the trade mark offices around the world, which starts with the issuance of an office action/examination report with the list of objections raised by the trade mark offices or a letter of acceptance of the trade mark. Subsequently, the application may go through re-examination, advertisement, oppositions, hearings, etc., before reaching the stage of registration. The time period taken by the trade mark offices, for completing the first examination of application and...

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31 January

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 27th NOV – 3rd DEC

Posted by Surana

Delhi HC stops Andhra company from using Kohinoor Seed Fields trademarks The Delhi High Court on 1 December 2022, granted an ex parte ad interim order to an Andhra based company after the company has used the trade name deceptively similar to the plaintiff. In the present case, the Kohinoor Company, being a leading seed company, has put a non-exclusive contract with the defendant company for marketing and distributing their products. Further, the plaintiff has been selling transgenic BT cotton hybrid seeds, approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, in the brand names of “SADANAND”, “TADAAKHA” and “BASANT” from 2014. Later,...

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13 December

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Necessity of Pre-Suit Mediation in Commercial Disputes: An Analysis of Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Necessity of Pre-Suit Mediation in Commercial Disputes

By Sonam Nanda, IPR Practice, Surana & Surana International Attorneys, New Delhi Office Introduction The Commercial Courts Act of 2015 with its amendment in 2018 is a recent exercise undertaken to adjudicate commercial disputes quickly. The object of this exercise was steered with the introduction of Section 12A by an amendment in 2018 that made mediation necessary before institution of a suit for commercial matters. This article will elaborate on need for such an exercise and critically analyze the interpretation and nature of Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 taken by the courts of the country. Need for the Commercial Courts...

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30 November

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 6th NOV – 11th NOV

Posted by Surana

CONDE NAST v. DRAKE Conde Nast, the owner of Vogue magazine, on November 7 has filed a lawsuit against Drake and 21 Savage for using the Vogue trademark without authorization to promote their new album "Her Loss." Conde Nast claimed that the rappers' promotional campaign was "entirely" based on the unauthorized use of Vogue trademarks and false claims that they would appear on the magazine's upcoming cover with the "love and support" of longtime editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, including to their more than 135 million social media followers. Conde Nast said that the defendants also produced a fake issue of Vogue that...

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18 November

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 30th OCT – 5th NOV

Posted by Surana

LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER V. FUTURETIMES TECHNOLOGY INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED & ORS The Delhi High Court on November 3 has granted Louis Vuitton Malletier, a French luxury fashion brand, Rs. 20 lakhs in fees in its trademark infringement case against Club Factory, a Chinese e-commerce platform that was outlawed in India in 2021. Louis Vuitton's attorney informed the court on November 3 that the plaintiff only wishes to pursue costs in the case, despite the fact that the lawsuit was officially decided on March 24 when a permanent injunction was granted against the Chinese website and it was now scheduled for ex-parte...

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02 November

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 16th OCT – 22nd OCT

Posted by Surana

K. N. GOVINDACHARYA vs SECRETARY GENERAL & ORS On October 17, the Supreme Court issued notice in response to a petition asking for instructions to protect the Court's copyright over video recordings of court proceedings that are live-streamed on websites like YouTube. The application also aimed to stop live-stream material from being used for profit. In the application, it was requested that the live-streaming closely adhere to the ruling in Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) v. Secretary General &Ors., (2018) 10 SCC 639. Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Chief Justice UU Lalit made up the panel that heard the...

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30 September

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 11TH SEP – 17TH SEP

Posted by Surana

DIPALI SIKAND AND ORS v. SAMSUNG INDIA ELECTRONIC PRIVATE LIMITED AND ANR. A temporary injunction prohibiting Samsung India and one Story Experiences from using the trademark "CONCIERGE," which is being used by the Concierge conglomerate made up of Lesconcierges Services Pvt. Ltd. and Club Concierge Services (India) Pvt. Ltd., was issued by a civil court in Bengaluru on September 13th. Dipali Sikand, the founder of the plaintiff company, asserts ownership of the "CONCIERGE" trademark from May 2016.According to the claim, the plaintiff company created the 'President Club' loyalty programme for Samsung as part of the 'CONCIERGE' service with the intention of...

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26 September

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 4TH SEP – 10TH SEP

Posted by Surana

INVESTMENT FIRM METACAPITAL SUES META FOR INFRINGEMENT Investment firm Metacapital Management LP sued Meta Platforms Inc in Manhattan in federal court on Wednesday, alleging that the Facebook parent company's use of the name “Meta” to provide financial services would cause customer confusion and violate its trademarks. Metacapital has also asked the court for damages of at least $60 million, the same amount Meta Platforms paid last year to acquire the trademark assets of Meta Financial Group, a regional bank. The investment firm has been using their name since 2001 whereas the name Meta Platforms which has been revamped from Facebook since 2021. CHAAYOS V. CHAIPOS This is...

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23 September

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 28TH AUG – 3RD SEP

Posted by Surana

SONY MUSIC INITIATES COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND BREACH OF CONTRACT LAWSUIT AGAINST TRILLER Sony sued the platform seeking damages as the application failed to pay the license fees agreed upon back in March 2022 after which it considered that their deal was terminated. Whereas, the platform still allowed sharing of music owned by Sony in the Application which Sony claims to have contributed to Copyright infringement. It is pertinent to mention here that the platform has already been in disputes especially in relation to payments and licenses, with a number of companies including the Universal group. GI REGISTRATION OF KASHMIR NAMDA AND GABBA...

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06 September

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 21ST AUG – 26TH AUG

Posted by Surana

ALLAHABAD LAW AGENCY V. AMAZON RETAIL INDIA PVT. LTD. & ORS The plaintiff is a book publishing company and had filed a lawsuit seeking permanent injunction against third party sellers in the e-commerce website of the defendant. The plaintiff alleged that pirated versions of the book, “the Law of Torts by Dr. R.K. Bangia”, was being sold in the e-commerce website by many sellers thereby committing copyright infringement. The plaintiff had claimed that the copyright of the book was bought by them from the author by an assignment deed executed in August, 1968 and after the death of the author, the...

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05 September

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Case of Coca-Cola for Cancellation of US Trademarks based on“MISREPRESENTATION OF SOURCE” before the TTAB and CAFC

Posted by Surana

in IPR

Case of Coco-Cola for Cancellation of US Trademarks

By P. Saranya, Senior Associate, IP Practice INTRODUCTION: The concept of identifying the source of manufactured goods by its unique brand or trademark was an ancient practice but its importance in trade and commerce was realized with the advent of the industrial revolution. Trademarks soon became an indispensable form of intellectual property rights in the industry of trade and commerce. Further, the mass production, sale and distribution of goods created a lot of confusion with regards to the trade origin of the goods thus giving rise to a creation of trade mark law. In an economic scenario where, multiple manufacturers tried...

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05 September

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 14TH AUG – 20TH AUG

Posted by Surana

FLIPKART INTERNET PRIVATE LTD. v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR. The respondent company Sanash Impex Pvt. Ltd have procured the authorized rights to sell the cosmetic products of a Czech based company ‘DC DERMACOL’ in India . A FIR was filed against Flipkart by the complainant for trademark infringement of their mark ‘DC DERMACOL’ by unauthorized resellers who were selling fake products in Flipkart and Amazon. The complainant also alleged that this act was committed by them in collaboration and connivance with Flipkart, thereby accusing Flipkart of enabling the sale of fake DC DERMACOL cosmetics and charging the resellers...

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27 August

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 7TH AUG-13TH AUG

Posted by Surana

DFM FOODS LIMITED v. CHANDEL STORE & ORS. The plaintiff is the owner of the registered trademark of 'CRAX CURLS' and 'CURLS' which is a type of corn-based snack launched in December 2016. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant even though changed their trademark from ‘CURLS’ TO ‘KURVY’, the packaging of the same, both before and after name change is deceptively similar with that of the plaintiffs. The Court held that the plaintiff has prima facie case in their favor because customers can easily be confused and cheated since the goods are of low price. Therefore, restrained the defendant from using...

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24 August

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 1ST AUG-6TH AUG

Posted by Surana

Special drive for disposal of IP Disputes Marking the 75th anniversary of India's independence the Government of India has launched the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. As a part of the same, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks has taken an initiative to run a special drive for disposal of IP disputes wherein parties are encouraged to dispose pending opposition and rectification cases and parties who have already settled their cases amicably are called upon to report to the same to the Registry of Trademarks. The public notice also states that parties are encouraged to settle...

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16 August

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 25TH JULY- 30TH JULY

Posted by Surana

Mondelez India Foods Pvt Ltd And anr v. Neeraj Food Products Mondelez India Foods Private Limited (previously Cadbury India Ltd.) and Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited filed a suit against the defendant for trademark infringement of their product "CADBURY GEMS" or "GEMS”. The Delhi High Court on 26th July 2022 gave the judgment in favor of the plaintiffs and ordered the defendants to pay Rs. 10 Lakhs as damages to Cadbury and the actual costs in the amount of Rs. 15,86,928 after noting that the company had incurred significant costs for the litigation in a case involving an interim injunction that had...

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08 August

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 17TH JULY- 23RD JULY

Posted by Surana

Marico Limited vs Dabur India Limited The Petitioner initiated a suit for infringement and disparagement in relation to the advertisement published by Dabur in various newspapers containing a disclaimer that implies that the Device/ Label mark of ‘Nihar’ which is a part of their advertisement belongs to the petitioner. It is therefore evident that the respondent was aware that the petitioner owns the particular mark. The petitioner claims that the pictorial impact of the advertisements demeans and disparages the petitioner's product and the comparison between the products conveying to the audience that the product of the petitioner is ineffective has amounted...

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04 August

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IPR NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM 11TH JULY- 16TH JULY

Posted by Surana

Franco Indian Pharmaceuticals vs Vatican Lifesciences Private On July 12, 2022, the High Court of Bombay held that in the case of rival marks where they are phonetically, structurally, aurally, and visually similar; in such a way that a mere cursory look at the rival marks brings out the overwhelming similarity in such a way that'll lead to the likelihood of confusion and deception amongst members of the trade and public at large, a high degree of protection is required. The plaintiff is the registered proprietor of the marks “GLEAM’’, “GLEAM 1” and “GLEAM-2”. And defendants are the owner of the...

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14 July

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IP NEWS UPDATES – JUNE 2022

Posted by Surana

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY REGISTERS "THE" AS A TRADEMARK The term "THE" has been successfully registered by The Ohio State University in relation to apparel that the university wears during athletic activities. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) initially rejected the registration on the grounds that the University was only using the mark ornamentally and that there was a likelihood of confusion because the fashion house Marc Jacobs had previously filed a trademark application for an identical mark in relation to clothing items. But Ohio State was able to demonstrate that the mark was being used more than purely ornamentally, and...

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30 June

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 30 JUNE 2022

Posted by Surana

India’s key achievements related to patent filings: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry announced the key achievements that the country has been performing in relation to patent filings. The domestic patent filing has surpassed the international patent filing between the period of January to March 2022, which is the first time in 11 years. Further, there has been nearly five times increase in the grant of patents in 2021-22 as compared to the year 2014-15. Another key achievement by the patent office is that there has been a reduction in time of patent examination from 72 months as of Dec...

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06 April

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NON-FUNGIBLE TOKENS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS – AN ANALYSIS

Posted by Surana

in IPR

NON- FUNGIBLE TOKENS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS- AN ANALYSIS

By RAKSHANA. M. K., Associate, Intellectual Property Practice Introduction: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) have been the talk of the investment world and among the Crypto community in the recent times. Over the last decade, terms such as Blockchain technology, Cryptocurrency and Non-Fungible Tokens have gained popularity among the public in this digital era. As far as NFT is concerned, the platform has planted the confidence of generating revenue both for the creators and the purchasers involved in the process. There are huge speculations in relation to Blockchain technology being the ‘next big thing’ and its ability to revolutionize the future. Cryptos and NFTs...

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15 March

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 25 FEB 2022

Posted by Surana

New York Stock Exchange Files Trademark Application for NFT Applications have been filed o trademark the term NYSE for usage of the mark as an NFT and the Stock Exchange is officially entering into the Crypto and NFT marketplace. The NYSE has announced that it has no immediate plans of launching a Crypto or NFT and also stated that it regularly considers new products and their impact on its trademarks and protects its intellectual property rights accordingly. Coca Cola v. Pop Cola- Suit before Federal High Court, Kano Mamuda Beverages Nigeria Ltd. introduced its product Pop Cola which allegedly bears designs similar to...

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15 March

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Posted by Surana

in IPR

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

By D.Sai Meera, Senior Associate, IP Practice 1. Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of computers and machines to perform mental tasks commonly associated with humans, such as learning, reasoning and problem solving.1 AI is one of the emerging Frontier Technologies.2 Frontier technologies are defined as technologies that transform the world. The emerging and merging of Frontier technologies is viewed as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. Frontier technologies include: digital technologies, such as the Internet of things (IoT), blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cloud computing. Physical technologies, such as autonomous driving, 3D printing, hardware innovations and biological technologies such as genetic engineering, human...

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25 February

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 14 FEB 2022

Posted by Surana

Major companies including McDonald’s filing Trademark Applications for the Metaverse Various major companies including Nike and Walmart had filed Trademark applications for virtual goods and services in the Metaverse. Presently, McD has filed for the registration of its marks in relation to virtual goods, services and even virtual restaurants and cafes hinting its entry into virtual reality through Metaverse. The company has also applied for marks in relation to on-line actual, virtual concerts and other entertainment services within the virtual McCafe. Panera Breads is another company that has joined the list of applicants for registration of trademarks in relation to Meta....

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09 February

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 9 FEB 2022

Posted by Surana

Moonshine Technology Pvt Ltd v. Ticktok Games Pvt Ltd The Plaintiff initiated the suit against the defendant for the use of the mark ‘BAAZI’. The plaintiff claimed its marks containing the term BAAZI to be well- known and to have attained worldwide recognition. The Plaintiff alleged that the Defendant was a subsequent dishonest adopter of the mark BAAZI especially in relation to gaming services. The Plaintiff had also established that the Defendant was a direct competitor to the Plaintiff’s company as the Director of the Defendant company had been a customer of Plaintiff and claims that the usage by the Defendant...

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08 February

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 7 FEB 2022

Posted by Surana

Bragg Live Food Products sues National Fruit Product Company for Copyright and Trademark Infringement Bragg Live Food Products, a company specialized in providing organic food products, has accused the NFPC of copying its trade dress and infringement of trademarks and copyrights. Bragg states that it has been using the yellow and red colour scheme on the packaging of its products for several years and that NFPC began selling Apple Cider vinegar under the brand name White House back in 2016 using a green label and after 2019, started using the same colour combination and artistic elements as that of their company....

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25 January

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 25 JAN 2022

Posted by Surana

Huawei’s Trademark applications for ‘Petal Search’ rejected The company had applied for the Trademarks ‘PETAL SEARCH’ in relation to search engine services and providing localized search services based on user search habits. The search engine was launched back in 2020 and applications for the registration of the trademarks was filed in 2021. The applications were initially rejected on the basis that there were similar marks which were already registered, containing the term ‘PETAL’ in relation to identical services, following which the company had applied for re- examination which has again resulted in rejection stating that the similarities in the cited marks...

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24 January

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 20 JAN 2022

Posted by Surana

HT Media Ltd. v. Pooja Sharma & Ors Hindustan Times had approached the Delhi High Court seeking permanent injunction and damages for infringement of their Trademark, Trade Name and Copyrights against websites which were portraying to the general public that they were in some way associated with the brand “Shine” which was owned by the company as a platform for providing new opportunities for job seekers, and its website using the brand name in an unauthorized manner. The company claimed that certain rogue websites have been advertising themselves as Shine, mirroring its website and offering paid jobs and job interviews thus...

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04 January

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 04 JAN 2022

Posted by Surana

Bacardi & Co v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office The company has sued the USPTO for allegedly violating the law by reviving a Cuban government entity's trademark "Havana Club". The legal battle between Bacardi and the Cuban entity was initiated by Bacardi and claim that they began selling Havana Club rum in the U.S. in 1995 after buying the brand. Cuba's state-run entity sells rum under the same name in other countries, but are barred from selling it in the U.S. Cubaexports claims that they first registered the "Havana Club" trademark in the U.S. in 1976. Presently, Bacardi complains that Cubaexport...

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03 January

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 30 DEC 2021

Posted by Surana

Kyobo Life fined for letting subsidiaries use IPs for free The insurance company holds various forms of IPs including numerous trademarks and copyrights. The company was accused of letting their subsidiaries use the Kyobo brand without paying fees from 2016 to 2019. The South Korea's financial watchdog has ordered Kyobo Life Insurance Co. to pay a fine of 350 million won for providing undue support to the subsidiaries. The action has been taken considering the economic value of the company as the unpaid fees are estimated to be billions of won. H&R Block claims trademark infringement by Square’s The tax preparation service company...

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29 December

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 21 DEC 2021

Posted by Surana

France.com Inc v. French Republic The legal battle for the trade name and mark France.com commenced years back and presently, the US Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Government. This trade name and mark was used since 1994 by a U.S. citizen and French expat and owns protections for the trademark in US and EU. The trademark was used in relation to French travel services. The holder of the trademark sued a Dutch company in Paris for infringing its trademarks, and the French government came into play. The French Republic argued that it carried the sole right to use...

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08 December

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IP NEWS WEEKLY UPDATE – 8 DEC 2021

Posted by Surana

UpGrad files trademark infringement suit against Scaler: A suit was filed before the Delhi HC against the EdTech company Scaler for using the brand name ‘upGrad’ through Google Ads to appear on top of the page on the Google Search Engine. The company has sought damages of more than 3 Crores. Presently, the Delhi HC has granted an ad-interim injunction in favour of upGrad and has directed Scaler to not to use upGrad’s registered marks and or its variants in relation to Google Ads Programs or any other keyword program. Brittex Financial v. Dollar Financial: The marks in dispute are MONEY MART used...

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