As I recently noted in an article on trademarks in the U.S. and internationally, Metro-Goldin-Mayer and Pennsylvania State University are two entities in different, yet related, channels of trade (sports and entertainment,...more
So, there you go—Metro Goldwyn Mayer and Pennsylvania State University are two different entities each associated with a distinctive roar connected to their institution. They are marketed through different, yet related,...more
The typical crack and fizz sound that occurs when opening a carbonated beverage is not registrable as a sound mark as it lacks any distinctive character. This was decided by the General Court of the European Union (GC) in a...more
On June 17, 2019, Canada’s Trademarks Act changed, resulting in its modernization. Canada has now joined five international intellectual property treaties, including the Madrid Protocol, Singapore Treaty and Nice Agreement,...more
2018 was an exciting year for the trademarks profession in Canada. The long awaited changes to our Trademarks Act were announced, many of which will bring us in line this year with the rest of the world. There will also be a...more
June 17, 2019 is the big day – a day anticipated since 2014. The major changes to the Canadian Trademarks Act will be implemented on this day. What does this mean for trademark owners?...more
The Beijing High Court recently made a final judgement in favor of Tencent, finding that the notification beeping sound of the digital company’s instant-messaging and social network services is distinctive enough to be...more
The wait is over! The Canadian Privy Council Office recently announced that the long-anticipated changes to Canada’s trademark laws will officially go into effect June 17, 2019. ...more
Part of the fun of trademark practice is its unique overlap with literature, art, science, culture, and psychology. Words and symbols are used as trademarks to identify sources of commercial goods; convey messages to...more
Labor & Employment - Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Requests Employer Associations to Prepare for the Conversion Rule - As April 1, 2018, will mark the fifth year since the "Rule on conversion of...more
The Situation: Alterations to the European Union’s trademark laws came into force on October 1, 2017. ...more
The September 2017 issue of Sterne Kessler's MarkIt to Market® discusses consent agreements, positive developments in the European community, and lists the new gTLD Sunrise periods. ...more
In Canada, trademarks for pharmaceutical preparations and related products have faced numerous challenges, some of which are unique to the industry. This article will canvas the current issues as well as the important changes...more
A sound mark can be registered in China since May 1, 2014. According to a draft Standard of Examination issued by the Chinese Trademark Office, a sound mark can consist of a musical or non-musical sound, or a combination of...more
Trademarks are not only words or logos, but can come in many other forms, including sounds. In the words of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in the case In re Gen. Electric Broad. Co., 199 USPQ 560, 563 (TTAB 1978),...more
Important new amendments to the Trademark Law and The Implementing Regulations of Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China came into effect on May 1, 2014, as mentioned in our earlier publication China Adopts First...more