The Long and Winding Road – Supreme Court Finally Cancels Gloria Maris Marks Filed in Bad Faith
By Ma. Syril Diesta Bad faith in the context of trademark registration in the Philippines means that the applicant or registrant has knowledge of prior creation, use and/or registration by another of an identical or similar trademark. In the case of GLORIA MARIS SHARK’S FIN RESTAURANT, INC., PETITIONER, VS. PACIFICO Q. LIM, RESPONDENT, G.R. No. […]
Shielding Your Brand from Counterfeits: A Guide to Intellectual Property Protection
By Harley H. Vietnam, like many other developing countries, is facing a growing challenge with the booming of counterfeit products and goods that infringe Intellectual Property Rights (“IPR-infringing goods”). According to statistics of National Steering Committee Against Smuggling, Commercial Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods, in 2023, 5,464 cases related to the production and trading counterfeit goods […]
Trademark Opposition in Singapore: A Case Study
By Khin Yupar Lin Trademark opposition arises in the jurisdiction of Singapore during the trademark registration process, revolving around the trademark name ‘REALITY ENGINE.’ The marks are not only identical in class but also share the same mark name between the two parties. This case study explores the opposition between the applicant, Nobel Brands USA […]
Crocodile Clash: Lacoste’s 20-Year Trademark Tussle Ends With a Snap!
By Ma. Syril Diesta In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled against Lacoste S.A. in the case of LACOSTE S.A. vs. CROCODILE INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD., G.R. No. 223270, promulgated on November 6, 2023. The Court upheld the previous rulings of the Intellectual Property Office – Bureau of Legal Affairs (IPO-BLA), the […]
Copyright in The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Balancing Innovation and Protection
By Eloise Wilkes-Barnwell The rapid evolution of generative AI technologies has transformed the landscape of creativity, enabling machines to produce text, images, music, and more with unprecedented complexity. Nevertheless, this evolution presents substantial challenges for existing copyright laws which were not designed to anticipate such innovations. As legal systems globally grapple with these complexities, the […]
AirAsia’s Use of Street Art Raises Questions About Artist’s Rights
By Suchitrra Salva & Geetha Kandiah Late last year, Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic expressed concern over AirAsia’s use of his iconic mural, Children on a Bicycle, on one of its aircraft. The artwork, painted in 2012 in Penang, Malaysia, was prominently displayed on the airline’s aircraft without Zacharevic’s prior consent. The artist took to social […]
Women in Franchising: Why It Works?
By: Geetha Kandiah & Shevithra Selva Mohan In today’s ever evolving business world, franchising has become a powerful avenue for people looking to achieve business success with a structured framework. Over the years, many women have embraced franchising as their go-to business model, leaving a mark on the industry and inspiring countless others. This article […]
Greener Thailand: Fast-Tracking Innovation for a Sustainable Future
By Wipaphat S. Trossel Thailand is currently grappling with significant air pollution challenges, particularly concerning PM2.5 particles—fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. Recent reports indicate that 64 out of 77 provinces have experienced unsafe levels of PM2.5, with some areas recording concentrations as high as 95.5 micrograms per cubic meter, […]
Fight for “Prosecco” – Italians v Australians
By Phylicia Yeoh Geographical Indications (GIs) serve as powerful markers in trade, distinguishing products originating from specific regions renowned for their unique qualities. These indications not only identify a product’s origin but also underscore the intrinsic link between the geographical region and its distinctive characteristics. In Singapore, the case the Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione […]
Cautionary Notices in Myanmar – What Use Are These Now?
By Geetha Kandiah The above is one of the questions we are frequently asked by clients. With Myanmar enacting and enforcing a new Patent Act, what then is the purpose of all the Cautionary Notices that were filed in the past years by patent owners? All monies spent by patent owners on past Cautionary Notices […]