Can a domain name infringe your trademark? About ICANN, domain disputes, and your rights.
Have you ever thought that a domain name could infringe on your intellectual property rights, just like a logo or trade name can? Imagine investing time and resources to build a recognizable brand, only to discover that someone has registered a domain name that includes your brand. For example, your trademark “Green Zebra®” could be […]
EU design reform: Key updates
The framework for the protection of industrial designs in the European Union is undergoing a significant transformation with the new European Union Designs Regulation (EUDR) and the associated legislative reforms. These changes, which will be implemented in stages starting from May 1, 2025, aim to modernize the system, adapt it to technological advances and improve […]
Manolo Blahnik and the legal dispute in China: The “trademark squatting” phenomenon.
Manolo Blahnik, the British luxury footwear brand, became famous thanks to its fans among celebrities and frequent appearances in the series “Sex and the City”. Founded by Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik, the brand is recognized for the elegance of its shoes, becoming a symbol of refinement in women’s fashion. However, for more than two decades, […]
Trademark Translation for Global Expansion.
Most of the trademarks that our intellectual property agency works with on a daily basis are registered with OSIM for protection in Romania and with the EUIPO, which provides coverage in all 27 member states of the European Union. Trademarks can be in any language, but the most common are in English, Romanian or are […]
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 […]
European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.
In the globalised and digitalised era of the 21st century, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship are the central pillars of European economic, cultural and social wealth. In this context, the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights becomes essential. The European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, part of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), […]
Trademark renewal as a key element of success
According to Law no. 84/1998 on trademarks and geographical indications, republished, the registration of a trademark takes effect from the date of the regulatory filing of the trademark and has a validity of 10 years. After the expiry of this period, renewal of the trademark becomes an essential step in the management and protection of […]
The Forbidden Fruit of Intellectual Property: When a Universal Symbol Comes into Dispute
Apple v. Fruit Union Suisse Case When you think of tech company Apple, do you think of that iconic logo — the silhouette of an apple with a bite out? Well, Apple owns the trademark for this logo, which means it has the exclusive right to use it. In Switzerland, the company is now trying […]
Hermes vs Rothschild – Intellectual Property Rights in the Metaverse
The concept of “Metaverse”, in a simple and accessible language, refers to a virtual space where users interact in different ways. Metaverse offers a wide range of experiences and interactions, being a virtual space in continuous development, and with remarkable potential both for the user and for the companies that choose to transpose their products […]
Lidl was forced to withdraw from the market the food processors that are sold under the SilverCrest brand, for infringing the Thermomix patent
The Commercial Court in Barcelona ordered the multinational company Lidl to withdraw the food processors from the Spanish market, sold by SilverCrest brand under the name of “Monsieur Cuisine Connect”, because it was considered an infringement of the Thermomix patent in this country. In its judgment, the court concluded that the manufacturer Thermomix, under the […]
