Is Translation Compulsory in Myanmar’s Patent Application?
By Khin Yupar Myanmar officially rolled out its patent registration system on 31 October 2024, marking a major milestone for intellectual property protection in the country. One key aspect that patent applicants often ask about is translation requirements — and it’s an important point to get right if you want to secure and enforce your […]
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 KASS International 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 LLC, […]
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 […]
Trademark Trouble: Why Your ‘Klever’ Brand Name Might Backfire
By Geetha Kandiah Deliberately misspelling a descriptive term to create a distinctive trademark is generally ineffective and can lead to legal challenges. Trademark law evaluates the overall impression of a mark, and slight misspellings often fail to alter the perception of the term as descriptive or generic. What is worst than the legal challenges is […]
Women in Franchising: Why It Works?
Women in Franchising: Success Stories and Why the Model 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 […]
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, […]