In our latest round-up, we look at Pinduoduo removing counterfeit sellers from its subsidy programme, Kiklis Law Firm launching in Alexandria, and more.
The brand protection platform's CEO insists traditional monitoring methods “simply are not sustainable” as AI provides the solution to advanced counterfeiting online.
The new rules aim to regulate the preparation and execution of preliminary injunctions requiring ISPs to block URLs based on IP addresses and network ports that may infringe IP rights.
Online communities of so-called ‘alt right’ internet users have developed code words to hide bigoted slurs on social media in a bid to avoid perceived censorship. The code uses high-profile brand names, including Google, Yahoo and Skype, to substitute for offensive words to describe ethnic groups including African Americans, Mexicans and Jews. <i>World Trademark Review</i> has spoken to experts about what the affected brand owners can do – but in terms of legal remedies, the options appear to be limited.
06 October 2016
A recent report has highlighted the prevalence of SMiShing (SMS phishing) attacks, with a third of consumers reporting that they had received messages trying to trick them into disclosing personal information. Patrick M Flaherty, assistant general counsel, marketing, IP and digital media law and policy, at Verizon, tells <i>World Trademark Review</i> that text phishing is on the up, but imparts some practical pointers for brand owners seeking to combat such fraud.
05 October 2016
A new generic top-level domain for the Chinese word for ‘trademark’, ‘.商标’, has attracted over 7,000 brand-related registrations since it launched last year. In a bid to bolster its primary selling point of being a trusted online space in China, the registry’s general manager has confirmed to <i>World Trademark Review</i> that it is lining up discussions with major online platforms to encourage brand promotion of the domain in a bid to help Chinese consumers find authentic goods and services.
28 September 2016
New research on narcotics trafficking via online ‘darknet’ markets has failed to find any significant connection between the sale of counterfeits and the sale of illicit drugs. While on the face of it this challenges the common argument that the industry in knock-offs supports other criminal ventures, there is more to the picture than immediately meets the eye.
21 September 2016
An investigation by <i>World Trademark Review</i> has uncovered new tactics being implemented by counterfeit sellers in response to more stringent anti-counterfeiting policies on online marketplaces. It is another reminder of the daunting task faced by both brand owners and online marketplaces in the battle to stop fakes – and the ever-evolving methods being used by those who sell counterfeit goods.
16 September 2016
While still in its nascent stages, the success of Pokémon GO has provided a glimpse into the potential of augmented reality (AR) – and if the technology goes truly mainstream, there will be a direct impact on the work of trademark counsel. A new study from Perkins Coie and virtual reality proponent Upload takes a look at industry expectations for AR and virtual reality.
13 September 2016
The European Court of Justice has ruled that posting a hyperlink to works protected by copyright and published without the author’s consent does not automatically constitute a ‘communication to the public’, as long as the person posting the link does not seek financial gain and acts without knowledge that those works have been published illegally.
08 September 2016
Swatch AG’s opposition to an application for Apple’s IWATCH in the United Kingdom suggests that the consumer electronics company will not be able to use the ‘i’ mark in respect of its smart watch product.
05 September 2016
A community of horror fiction enthusiasts dedicated to the literary genre known as ‘creepypasta’ have been fiercely debating a recent trademark application for the term. While one author claims it is an effort to “steal” the genre from the community, the registrant claims it is a way to “protect and preserve the term against corporate monopolisation”. The ongoing debate is a reminder of the passion – and anger – that can be stirred by trademark applications for community-created terms.
01 September 2016
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