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 […]
The importance of trademark renewal.
Renewing and maintaining a trademark is an essential step in ensuring continued brand protection. According to the Trademark Law (Law 84/1998) the registration of a trademark takes effect starting from the date of the regulatory filing of the trademark and has a validity of 10 years. After this deadline has expired, trademark renewal becomes an […]
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 […]
Can a person’s face become a trademark?
Over time, people have registered as a trademark all sorts of signs: from the simplest to the most unimaginable words, shapes, drawings, even sounds. To date, more than two million trade marks have been registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), so anyone who wants to register a new trade mark that is […]
How to choose a strong brand/trademark?
The success of your business can be an indication that your brand is commercially strong, as the nature of a brand, especially its relative strength or weakness, will have a direct influence on its market performance and scope of legal protection. A ‘strong’ trade mark is a trade mark which has a highly distinctive character, […]
Genericism: trademark death
What is genericism? If trade marks are bigger and better known, then there is a greater need for protection not only against infringement and falsification, but also against the ‘generalisation of trade marks’. There is not much talk about this concept, but there is more to this problem than is thought. The concept is important […]
Elvis Presley versus BrewDog: How far would you go to protect your brand?
As consumers, we meet a multitude of well-known brands in the food and beverage sector on a daily basis. Whether it’s choosing cereal or morning coffee, or choosing specific ingredients and garnishes for the evening meal. It therefore goes without saying that intellectual property protection for your food and drink business is vital, as it […]
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 […]
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 […]
Intellectual Property on Domain Names
I. What is a domain name? A domain name is a unique internet address, for example agentiatas.ro, under which the services are available on the internet, and through which internet users can access a website only by typing in the address bar of the browser on which they use the domain name. Whenever you visit […]
