Morningstar / Dow Jones Newswires•22 Sept 2026•1 min read
Beyond Meat's slogan dispute leaves $15.4 million profits award intact
A US court reduced Beyond Meat's actual damages in Vegadelphia Foods' trademark suit from $23.5 million to $37,500 but left a $15.4 million profit-disgorgement award in place. The dispute concerns promotional wording used during Beyond Meat's collaboration with Dunkin' and its similarity to Vegadelphia's protected tagline. Dunkin' settled separately, while Beyond Meat may still seek further relief or appeal. The result shows that a sharp cut in compensatory damages does not necessarily eliminate an accounting of profits.
Stereogum•22 Sept 2026•1 min read
Outkast challenges Ovrkast stage name in US trademark suit
Outkast has sued rapper and producer Ovrkast in federal court in Georgia, alleging that his stage name is confusingly similar to the group's name. The reported complaint follows an earlier request that he change the name and a disputed agreement over its continued use. The court has not ruled on the infringement allegations. The case concerns whether a performer's professional name can create confusion with an established music act.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•22 Sept 2026•1 min read
UK counterfeit-vinyl operation leads to prison sentence
A West London operator was sentenced to three and a half years in prison following an investigation into counterfeit vinyl records sold between 2017 and 2024. Authorities attributed roughly £2.74 million in sales to the operation, which involved recordings by 108 artists. The reported conviction concerned infringing copies of copyrighted works, not a trademark infringement ruling. The case illustrates large-scale physical-goods counterfeiting and the role of rights holders in investigating it.
Kluwer Trademark Blog•21 Sept 2026•1 min read
Polish court examines who must prove exhaustion in parallel-import disputes
Poland's Supreme Court examined how the burden of proving trade mark exhaustion should work when an exclusive or selective distribution network may partition the EEA market. It said EU case law can require an adjustment to the usual evidentiary burden where a reseller shows a real risk of market partitioning. The court nevertheless dismissed the retailer's particular cassation complaint because the threshold for declaring the appellate ruling manifestly unlawful was not met. Importers still need evidence tied to the specific goods, rather than relying only on suppliers' assurances.
LiveLaw News•19 Sept 2026•1 min read
Kerala court: rival company can't force a name change just because its director owns the mark
The Kerala High Court has quashed government orders that forced two companies to rename themselves, after a rival sought the changes under a Companies Act provision meant for registered trademark owners. The court held that only the registered proprietor of a trademark can apply to force a company name change under Section 16(1)(b) — a company cannot apply merely because the trademark owner sits on its board. The ruling underlines the separation between a company and its directors, even where the director holds the relevant mark.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•18 Sept 2026•1 min read
Tesla and SpaceX seek court ruling that 'Terafab' chip brand doesn't clash with TERA-FAB mark
Tesla, SpaceX and SpaceXAI have filed a declaratory judgment action in a Texas federal court, asking a judge to rule that their planned 'Terafab' semiconductor operation does not infringe the TERA-FAB trademark held by Illinois-based TERA-print LLC. TERA-print sent a cease-and-desist letter after Tesla announced the project and filed its own trademark applications in May 2026. Tesla alleges that TERA-print's subsequent filing to expand its registration to cover additional goods was 'opportunistic.' The case highlights the friction that can arise when a large company adopts a name close to a smaller holder's existing registration.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•18 Sept 2026•1 min read
China's top court rules enterprise name registration does not shield unfair competition
China's Supreme People's Court has held that formally registering an enterprise name does not prevent a finding of unfair competition where the name incorporates a commercial identifier similar to an earlier trademark. The case involved jeweler Lukfook's trademarks and a competitor's use of a similar identifier in its enterprise name. The court found that the defendant, operating in the same industry, should have known about Lukfook's mark and intended to exploit its goodwill, making the formal enterprise name registration no defense against the unfair competition claim.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•18 Sept 2026•1 min read
CJEU rules political expression can justify use of famous marks, but IKEA case falls short
The Court of Justice of the EU has established that freedom of political expression can in principle constitute due cause for using a reputed trademark without authorization. The ruling came in a case where Belgian far-right party Vlaams Belang used IKEA's trademarks and assembly-instruction imagery in an anti-immigration campaign. While the Court recognized political speech as a potential defense, it found that Vlaams Belang's use appeared to ride on IKEA's reputation rather than contribute to a genuine public interest debate connected to the brand, leaving the final determination to the Belgian court.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•18 Sept 2026•1 min read
Le Mans race organizer wins UK trademark ruling against watchmaker Omologato
The UK Intellectual Property Enterprise Court has ruled that watchmaker Omologato infringed trademarks owned by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organization behind the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The court found that Omologato's use of LE MANS, LM, and LMR on watches and in promotional material constituted trademark infringement and unfair free-riding on the race's prestige. The judge rejected Omologato's ambush marketing defense, noting that its sponsorship claims were unsupported, and ordered the invalidation of its LMR trademark registration.
LiveLaw News•18 Sept 2026•1 min read
Indian court keeps cigarette branding injunction alive in Gold Flake lookalike fight
The Calcutta High Court has confirmed an interim injunction blocking the sale of IJM Gold Stag cigarettes, finding the name and get-up too close to ITC's long-standing Gold Flake marks. The court held that the word Gold has acquired secondary meaning through ITC's extensive use, and that a cigarette packet must be assessed as a whole — the mandatory health warning covering most of the pack cannot be carved out of the comparison. It also rejected the argument that holding a registration itself shields a mark from infringement claims.
WIPO•18 Sept 2026•1 min read
US international filings switch to Madrid e-Filing in two weeks
US trademark holders have until 30 September to keep using TEASi: from 1 October, WIPO's Madrid e-Filing becomes the only platform for new outbound international applications based on US marks. The service imports key data from the basic US application, lets applicants communicate directly with the USPTO as office of origin, and simplifies responses to WIPO irregularity notices. WIPO fees will be paid directly to WIPO in Swiss francs. Practitioners with US clients should flag the cutover now so no filings get disrupted.
EU Law Live•17 Sept 2026•1 min read
CJEU adviser pushes broad stay rule for EUTM infringement cases
Advocate General Biondi has proposed that EU trade mark courts must stay infringement proceedings whenever an EUIPO cancellation is pending — even if the cancellation was filed after the lawsuit. The opinion in Bodegas Sanviver (C-392/25) surprised practitioners and could make EUTM enforcement harder if adopted by the CJEU.
IPKat•17 Sept 2026•1 min read
Flowerbx wins UK trade mark ruling against Flowers Box rival
A London court ruled Flowers Box London infringed the Flowerbx trade mark and took unfair advantage of its reputation. The judge found a high level of similarity and likelihood of confusion — the defendant had even received Flowerbx Trustpilot reviews after launching. The counterclaim for invalidity was dismissed.
Canadian Running Magazine•17 Sept 2026•1 min read
New Balance takes Decathlon to court over lookalike running-shoe logo
New Balance sued Decathlon in Massachusetts federal court, claiming the K logo on its Kiprun running shoes mirrors the iconic N mark. Decathlon argues the sign is clearly a K. New Balance is seeking a product recall and damages.
Hypebeast•17 Sept 2026•1 min read
Samsung tells court Dua Lipa's face is not a trademark, asks to dismiss $15M lawsuit
Samsung Electronics has asked a California federal judge to dismiss Dua Lipa's $15 million lawsuit over the appearance of her photograph on Samsung television packaging. The company contends that a celebrity's face does not serve as a trademark or endorsement indicator and that the image was used as a background graphic for a music-video channel interface rather than as an endorsement. Samsung also argues that Lipa's UK residence makes California's right-of-publicity laws inapplicable. The motion hearing is set for December 14, 2026.
Kluwer Trademark Blog•17 Sept 2026•1 min read
EUIPO rejects Marlboro opposition against Manchester tobacco mark
Philip Morris failed to block a figurative Manchester UNITED KINGDOM sign for tobacco products. EUIPO found only low similarity in the shared letters Ma and stressed that reputation alone cannot override the need for genuine similarity. A clear reminder that famous marks cannot veto every remotely similar sign.
1News NZ•16 Sept 2026•1 min read
New Zealand supermarket name lands at the centre of a trademark race
Days after New Zealand's Green Party unveiled plans for a state-backed supermarket chain called KiwiMart, a snack and vape distributor filed to register the same name with IPONZ, claiming internal plans to use it go back roughly a year. A third applicant followed within days. Under New Zealand's first-to-use system, preparatory steps can support an ownership claim, while an application filed mainly to block another party risks a bad-faith opposition. The episode is a reminder that announcing a brand publicly before filing can invite opportunistic applications.
WMBF News / USA Today•15 Sept 2026•1 min read
Beaver logo dispute ends in $850,000 payment to Buc-ee's
A South Carolina clothing company has been ordered to pay $850,000 to the Texas convenience chain after selling apparel featuring an unauthorised version of Buc-ee's beaver mascot. The settlement also requires the retailer to stop producing the infringing items, and both sides waived their appeal rights. The outcome continues Buc-ee's aggressive enforcement of its mascot branding and shows how merchandise built on another company's imagery can quickly become a major liability.
China IP Law Update / Supreme People's Court•14 Sept 2026•1 min read
China's top court opens consultation on rules for its revised trademark law
On 14 September, the Supreme People's Court published a package of draft judicial interpretations for public comment ahead of the amended Chinese Trademark Law taking effect on 1 January 2027. The drafts set out which version of the law governs disputes depending on when the underlying facts occurred, and update rules on well-known mark protection, prior legitimate rights and bad-faith filings. Comments are open until 28 October 2026. Businesses with Chinese portfolios should review the transition rules before the new law applies.
EUIPO•9 Sept 2026•1 min read
EUIPO warns the public about lookalike websites posing as the official office
In a security notice, the EU Intellectual Property Office has warned that unknown third parties have built counterfeit copies of its official website, imitating the layout, logos and overall appearance to mislead visitors. The fake sites are designed to trick users into revealing information or compromising their devices. The office urges everyone to check the address bar and rely only on euipo.europa.eu. Trademark applicants and representatives should handle filings and payments exclusively through official EUIPO channels to avoid fraud.
Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property•18 Aug 2026•1 min read
Russia adds an intended-use declaration to trademark filings
From 18 August 2026, Russian trademark and service-mark applications must include an applicant confirmation that the designation is intended for use across all listed goods and services. The change follows a Ministry of Economic Development order issued earlier this month. It is designed to bring the register closer to genuine commercial plans, although applicants are not generally required to prove use after registration unless a legal proceeding calls for it.
National Law Review•17 Aug 2026•1 min read
Louis Vuitton wins major damages award over four-petal logo dispute
A Chinese court has ordered Molly Tea and related defendants to pay Louis Vuitton RMB 10.3 million after finding infringement of seven floral-design trademarks. The defendants must also publish corrective statements across several online platforms. The first-instance ruling is reportedly subject to appeal, while the case highlights the difficulty of separating commonplace motifs from a protected brand pattern.
Jenner & Block•17 Aug 2026•1 min read
US Supreme Court limits affiliate profits in trademark damages cases
The US Supreme Court has ruled that a trademark plaintiff cannot recover profits earned by a defendant’s affiliated companies when those affiliates were not parties to the infringement. The decision overturns a $43 million award in the Dewberry trademark dispute. It narrows the route to profit-based remedies and makes corporate structure especially important when calculating damages.
Kluwer Trademark Blog•17 Aug 2026•1 min read
WeightWatchers rebrand highlights the limits of abandoning a famous name
Kluwer’s latest analysis looks at WeightWatchers’ attempt to reshape its identity while public usage keeps pulling the familiar name back into circulation. The example is paired with another rebrand to explore how consumers, media and commercial history can preserve a mark’s practical value after a company changes direction. For brand owners, the lesson is that rebranding is not only a filing exercise—it also requires managing accumulated goodwill and public expectations.
World IP Review•17 Aug 2026•1 min read
Packaging dispute ends with a $23.8m verdict and bankruptcy filing
A low-sugar ice-cream brand has filed for bankruptcy after a rival secured a reported $23.8 million damages verdict over allegedly copied packaging. The dispute shows that trade-dress exposure can extend well beyond the wording of a brand name, especially where colours, layout and product presentation create a similar marketplace impression. The case is a costly reminder to document independent design work and conduct visual clearance before launch.
EUIPO•17 Aug 2026•1 min read
EU trademark and design filings reach a record first-half level
EUIPO reports that combined EU trade mark and EU design applications reached 166,214 in the first half of 2026, up 4.7% year on year. The figures point to continued demand for EU-wide protection despite broader economic uncertainty. For portfolio managers, the rise is a useful signal to review filing pipelines and clearance capacity before the autumn peak.
Times of India•16 Aug 2026•1 min read
WNBA apparel application draws opposition from two MLB clubs
The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals have challenged the WNBA’s attempt to register “The W” for sports clothing. The baseball clubs point to their existing rights and long-standing use of W-related branding, while the WNBA argues that the phrase creates a distinct commercial impression. The dispute is now before the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and illustrates how a short, ordinary expression can become valuable when tied to strong sports identities. It also highlights the importance of separating rights in services from protection for merchandise.
Cleveland.com / Fox Business•16 Aug 2026•1 min read
Buc-ee’s expands Ohio trademark fight over beaver-themed branding
Buc-ee’s has brought another Ohio dispute over a beaver-related logo and store branding into the spotlight, alleging that customers could mistake a local mini-mart’s identity for its own. The case reflects the chain’s broader effort to protect the visual elements that make its mascot and roadside stores recognisable. For smaller businesses, it is a reminder that changing a name or logo may not be enough if the overall commercial impression remains too close. The dispute also shows why clearance work should cover mascots, colour schemes and presentation—not just wording.
DW•16 Aug 2026•1 min read
German activists turn trademark law against extremist branding
A report from Germany examines how trademark rights are being used to challenge clothing and symbols associated with neo-Nazi networks. The approach relies on controlling commercial signs and brand identifiers rather than treating the issue only as a political-speech question. It shows how IP enforcement can become an additional route for online shops and platforms to remove extremist merchandise. For practitioners, the story underlines the need to assess both the legal basis and the wider public-interest context when marks carry ideological meaning.
World Trademark Review•15 Aug 2026•1 min read
Nike’s China retail reset raises new brand-protection questions
Nike’s planned removal of roughly 1,000 partner-operated Chinese storefronts could reshape how the brand controls authorised distribution and online enforcement. Specialists warn that tighter control may improve visibility over genuine inventory and infringement, while displaced sellers could move to less transparent channels. The case shows how commercial restructuring can create a fresh trademark and anti-counterfeiting workload even when the brand strategy is legitimate.
World Trademark Review•15 Aug 2026•1 min read
USPTO data exposes ownership risks hidden in trademark filings
Recent USPTO data indicates that a substantial share of US trademark applications is filed by individuals rather than the companies that operate the brands. That mismatch can create serious problems, including void registrations, lost priority and disputes over who actually owns the mark. Businesses should verify the applicant name and ownership structure before filing, rather than treating the application form as an administrative detail.
World IP Review•15 Aug 2026•1 min read
EU court blocks Forest e-bike logo over lack of distinctiveness
A London e-bike company has been refused EU trade mark protection for a sign combining the word Forest with a tree-like figure. The decision found that the sign described the character or imagery of the goods and lacked enough originality to function as a badge of commercial origin. It is a useful reminder that an attractive logo may still fail if its overall impression remains descriptive rather than distinctive.
World IP Review•15 Aug 2026•1 min read
Counterfeit merchandise enters peak season as major brands face revenue pressure
As the new football season begins, counterfeit sports shirts and licensed merchandise are expected to put additional pressure on major brand owners. World IP Review reports that the market for licensed consumer products reached hundreds of billions of dollars in 2025, making imitation goods a significant commercial threat. The development highlights why online monitoring, customs action and platform cooperation remain central to trademark enforcement.
Kluwer Trademark Blog•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
China Overhauls Trademark Law to Curb Bad-Faith Filings
The Standing Committee of Chinas National Peoples Congress adopted revised amendments to the Trademark Law on 2 July 2026, targeting malicious registrations and strengthening trademark regulation. The revised law takes effect on 1 January 2027 and introduces stricter measures against bad-faith filings. The reform reflects growing international pressure on China to address trademark squatting and improve examination quality.
EUIPO / Shoosmiths•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
EUIPO Grand Board Rejects Animal Farm and 1984 as EU Trade Marks
The EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal upheld the refusal to register Orwells titles Animal Farm and 1984 as EU trade marks, ruling that the works are so widely known that consumers would perceive them as literary references rather than commercial origin indicators. The decision illustrates that cultural fame can actually undermine distinctiveness under Article 7 EUTMR. The Board found that the books success as literary works was precisely what prevented them from functioning as trade marks.
EUIPO / Dreyfus•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
2026 EUIPO Guidelines Now in Force: Seven Key Changes for EU Trade Marks
The 2026 edition of EUIPO Examination Guidelines took effect on 1 July 2026, bringing seven notable changes for trade mark practitioners. Geographical indication examination now extends beyond identical or comparable goods to cover sectors like textiles, glassware, and jewellery. Typography choices such as upper vs lower case no longer affect word mark comparison. Opposition procedure rules have been tightened, with ineligible rights under Article 8(4) now leading to inadmissibility rather than unsubstantiation, allowing earlier case closure.
EUIPO•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
EU Registers Joyeria de Cordoba as Spain First Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication
The name Joyeria de Cordoba has been registered as the first Spanish craft and industrial geographical indication, giving it protection across all 27 EU Member States. The designation safeguards a thousand-year jewellery tradition from Cordoba and helps local producers distinguish authentic goods from imitations. The registration marks a milestone for the EU new CIGI protection system, which has been fully applicable since June 2025.
EUIPO•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
EUIPO Boards of Appeal unveil five-year action plan for trademark and design appeals
The EUIPO Boards of Appeal have adopted their Action Plan for 2026-2030, setting strategic priorities for improving the quality and efficiency of appeal proceedings in EU trade mark and registered design cases. The plan responds to growing filing volumes and evolving legal landscapes, with initiatives targeting consistency in decision-making, digitalization of appeal workflows, and adaptation to emerging IP trends. The plan succeeds the previous 2021-2026 framework.
EUIPO•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
EUIPO Publishes First Video and 3D Design Registrations Under New EU Design Regime
EUIPO has published the first EU design registrations using video and three-dimensional representations, following the full implementation of the reformed EU design framework on 1 July 2026. The new formats allow applicants to protect designs whose appearance or operation cannot be fully captured in static images. The reform represents the most comprehensive overhaul of EU design law in over two decades.
UKIPO / Juris Law Group•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
Supermac's beats McDonald's in UK trademark showdown
Irish fast-food chain Supermac's has won the right to register its name in the UK after the UK Intellectual Property Office ruled that consumers would not confuse it with McDonald's portfolio of marks. The hearing officer found only low visual similarity between SUPERMAC'S and McDonald's registered trademarks, and rejected the argument that the Irish chain was trading on McDonald's reputation. The decision also struck down McDonald's broader family-of-marks theory, holding that sharing the prefix Mc does not automatically create enforceable rights over every similar-sounding name.
EUIPO / Kluwer Trademark Blog•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
EUIPO sets new rules for staff use of generative AI tools
The European Union Intellectual Property Office has issued updated guidelines governing how its staff may use generative artificial intelligence tools in their work. The guidelines aim to ensure responsible and transparent use of AI in examination and administrative processes, addressing concerns about bias, accuracy, and data protection. The move reflects a broader trend of IP offices establishing internal AI governance frameworks as the technology becomes more embedded in daily operations.
Kluwer Trademark Blog•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
Trademark squatting backfires as Kazakh PREMIER registrations invalidated
A Kazakhstan court has turned a trademark infringement claim against an importer into an invalidation of the claimant's own registrations, after finding he had copied the PREMIER brand from an Uzbek manufacturer. The court ruled that the registrant had abused his rights by registering the mark to block competing distributors, and the Appeal Council subsequently invalidated both registrations under the Paris Convention agent-or-representative rule. The case illustrates how bad-faith filings can unravel when commercial relationships are scrutinized.
IPWatchdog / Reuters•14 Aug 2026•1 min read
Bad Spaniels dog toy defeats Jack Daniel's in US appeals court again
The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has once again ruled in favor of VIP Products, finding that the Bad Spaniels dog toy does not tarnish Jack Daniel's trademark reputation. The court vacated a permanent injunction that had barred sales of the parody toy, holding that the humorous product qualifies as non-commercial speech protected under the First Amendment. The decision narrows the scope of trademark dilution claims against parodic products and marks another chapter in a dispute that has already reached the US Supreme Court.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•12 Aug 2026•1 min read
Rihanna Wins Turkish Trademark Dispute Over 'RIANNA' Registration
A Turkish court has cancelled a trademark registration for 'RIANNA', finding it too close to pop star Rihanna's name to avoid consumer confusion. The singer's company had challenged the registration, arguing the single-letter difference was not enough to prevent mistaken association. The ruling adds to a growing body of international case law protecting celebrity names from lookalike trademark filings, and is notable given Türkiye's role as a Madrid Protocol participant and EU candidate country.
Dawn•12 Aug 2026•1 min read
Australia Rejects India's Basmati Trademark Bid
An Australian court has thrown out India's bid to lock down 'Basmati' as a certification trademark for rice, drawing applause from Pakistan, which jointly produces the grain. The two countries have long sparred over who holds geographical indication rights to Basmati. The ruling highlights how hard it is to claim exclusive trademark protection for agricultural products that span multiple countries and culinary traditions.
World IP Review•12 Aug 2026•1 min read
EasyGroup Scores Trademark Win in 'Easy' Brand Battle
The company behind the 'easy' brand empire has finally caught a break after a losing streak in UK courts. A recent ruling stripped a Dutch competitor's trademark rights in the electronics category, which had been blocking EasyGroup's application for 'easyTag.app'. This reverses a tough run where the group failed to prove infringement against 'easyHire' and 'Easy Bathrooms'. The outcome offers fresh guidance on how courts evaluate 'family of marks' arguments in Europe.
WIPO•1 Aug 2026•1 min read
WIPO Madrid System: Jersey Becomes Independent Designation from August 1
Trademark holders take note: as of 1 August 2026, the UK designation under WIPO's Madrid System no longer automatically covers Jersey. The Crown dependency now operates as a standalone designation with its own fees and its own Office of origin. Anyone relying on UK coverage to protect their mark in Jersey will need to file a separate designation — this applies to new applications, subsequent designations, and renewals alike.
Trademark Lawyer Magazine•7 Jul 2026•1 min read
EU Trademark Filings Reach Record High in First Half of 2026
The first six months of 2026 were the busiest on record for EUIPO, with combined trademark and design filings topping 166,000 — nearly 5% above the same period last year. Trademark applications drove the surge, climbing 8.4% to over 104,000 and beating the old peak from 2021. Growth came mainly from within the bloc: EU member state filings jumped nearly 15%, with France, Germany, and Poland leading the pack. China still files the most in absolute terms but saw a double-digit decline.
