Organisation: Sony

This week a number of media outlets have jumped on a dispute between Sony and Bridgestone Tyres, centred on the latter’s use of an actor Sony had previously used in its advertising campaigns – but now seen using a product from one of Sony’s direct competitors. While not – as some have claimed – an example of trademark law “getting stranger”, the dispute is an interesting one, highlighting as it does protection issues around character creation.

12 October 2012

Almost 1,500 nominations and two months of extensive research later, the shortlist for this year's WTR Industry Awards can now be revealed. The awards recognise the vital work of in-house trademark counsel and identify those teams and individuals that are performing their functions to the highest standards. The winners will be announced next month at an exclusive reception in Washington DC.

19 April 2012

While companies navigate the different valuation methods in a bid to ascertain true brand value, new research has focused on a different intangible – meaningfulness. Ikea, Google and Nestlé lead the way, but the study also found that consumers feel only a fifth of brands have a notable positive impact on their sense of wellbeing and quality of life, with marked differences in the regional attachment to brands.

28 November 2011

The Swedish Court of Patent Appeals has issued its decision in an appeal by Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment over a refusal to register a 3D trademark representing the hand control for its PlayStation 2 gaming console. Among other things, the court rejected Sony’s claim that the relevant public consisted of the registered PlayStation users, since most users were reported to have bought a PlayStation themselves.

31 October 2011