The General Court (GC) has recently confirmed that the figurative European Union trademark no. 002810299 consisting of two parallel stripes on the side of a shoe lacked distinctiveness (T-307/23 of…
Burning hot August day in the picturesque bay of Lindos (Rhodos/Greece)
A recent decision of the Higher Regional Court Vienna (OLG Vienna), second - and often last – instance in cancellation and…
A judgment of the General Court demonstrates the controversial and problematic nature of retail services marks.
The ALDI/ALDIANO Case
The case concerns Aldi, the discount chain. An Aldi entity (in…
The Austrian courts recently had the opportunity to provide some clarifications as to when a geographical indication, which is not protected as such under EU legislation, may be registered as a…
As already noted by fellow bloggers in respect to a number of countries, the new Trademarks Directive [Directive (EU) 2015/2436 of 16 December 2015], short “TMD” also required amendments to the…
An administrative non-use revocation action has been available in Switzerland since January 1st, 2017. This action can be filed before the Swiss Trademark Office (IPI) against both National Swiss…
The Black Friday shopping storm 2017 will kick off soon. However, the Black Friday battle has already begun in Germany. The dispute circles around a German trade mark Black Friday, the owner of the…
Company A has rights to the tradename “IST” since 2003, and an Austrian trademark “iST” (fig), with a priority of 2011. Company B also has rights to the trade name “IST”, since 2009. Can Company A…
