Zicaffe v. Zacaffe: : Trademark conflict between ZARA and a Sicilian café

The trademark landscape is often marked by disputes as established brands expand into new industries. One such case, which attracts attention, involves Inditex, Zara’s parent company, and the Sicilian coffee roaster Zicaffe. The conflict arose after Zara filed an application for registration of the ZACAFFE trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), prompting […]
Practical aspects regarding the assignment of the trademark registered at EUIPO. Total vs. partial assignment.

Assignment of a trademark is the process by which the owner of a trademark transfers ownership rights over it to another party. The transfer of rights may be made for consideration (against a price), free of charge, or by donation or will. This process may involve the assignment of the trade mark in its entirety […]
Moka coffee maker: How a registered design revolutionized coffee ritual.

Today, in September 5th, the world of design and innovation gathers in a remarkable event in the vibrant city of Berlin. The fourth edition of the DesignEuropa Awards (DEA), organised by EUIPO, takes place here. This prestigious event celebrates excellence in design for holders of registered Community Designs (RCDs) across the European Union. DesignEuropa’s jury […]
NFTs and Intellectual Property Rights

The term “non-fungible token“, or “NFT” in a more accessible language, refers to a certain category of digital goods whose existence is strictly related to blockchain platforms. What’s so special about this type of goods? The digital form : NFTs are a category of goods that do not enjoy a tangible existence, they “exist” only […]
Trade Secrets, Intellectual Property Rights?

Coca-Cola’s secret formula. McDonalds’ special sauce. Google’s search algorithm. Bumble’s dating software. This proprietary information is vital to these companies’ survival, and among their most valuable corporate assets. Each is protected as a trade secret. While patent law offers strong protections for proprietary inventions, obtaining a patent requires establishing that the invention is novel, non-obvious, […]