Organisation: European Commission

According to the latest quarterly progress report from EURid, the ‘.eu’ registry, at the end of 2011 there were a total of 3.5 million ‘.eu’ registered domain names, representing growth of 5.5% when compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. Even though ‘.eu’ was launched six years ago, not all issues relating to the registration rules have been resolved, and one case in particular, known as <i>Pie Optiek</i>, is still pending before the ECJ.

04 May 2012

The Council of the European Union has adopted the proposal to entrust OHIM with the EU Observatory on Infringements of IP Rights. While the move will expand OHIM’s role, the council has stressed that the new tasks will not extend to participation in individual operations or investigations carried out by national authorities.

26 March 2012

Last week’s online protests at planned US legislation tackling online piracy seems to have succeeded in derailing its progress, with this week’s vote on PROTECT IP now postponed. As the European Commission works to revise the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive, developments in the United States are being closely observed.

23 January 2012

In <i>Frisdranken Industrie Winters BV v Red Bull GmbH</i>, a reference for a preliminary ruling by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, the ECJ has held that the filling of cans that already bear a sign similar to a trademark does not constitute use of that sign in a way that can be prohibited by the trademark owner.

17 January 2012

In a presentation at the European Parliament, Nunzia Varricchio, chair of MARQUES, has lamented the fact that the European Commission’s review of the trademark system has not taken the opportunity to tackle inconsistencies in the treatment of lookalikes, leaving brand owners to navigate a complex maze of legislation.

12 January 2012

Next month WIPO member states and interested parties will discuss a new draft instrument for the protection of geographical indications (GIs) and appellations of origin. The proposals follow Antonio Campinos’ recent statement that OHIM would welcome the opportunity to oversee a non-agricultural register of GIs. However, the Europe v United States divide on GIs seems as wide as ever.

14 November 2011