Indonesia Update: Crackdown on Imitation Stationery
Dong-A Pencil Co., Ltd (“Dong-A”) is an established manufacturer of stationery and office supplies based in Seoul, Korea. Established in 1946, Dong-A has been producing writing instruments and the like for over 65 years, so the fact that its products are distributed throughout the world and have gained considerable repute should come as a surprise […]
“Fair” Outcome For PC Exhibition Organizers?
As consumer electronics giants Samsung and Apple engage in a global battle over infringement of each other’s computer tablet and smartphone patent portfolios, two Malaysian organizers of exhibitions for computer ware have engaged in a legal battle over the selection and use of a name for the trade fairs. The Association of the Computer and […]
VEURO Vs EURO-R: A Lawsuit Against The Trademark Appeal Commission
Do “VEURO” and “EURO-R” look or sound similar to you? Well, the Indonesian Trademark Office believed so, and thus began the case between Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (“Sumitomo”) and the Trademark Appeal Commission. Sumitomo, a tire manufacturing company from Japan, filed an application for the “VEURO” trademark for goods in class 12. By the time […]
No Other “Regis” But “St.Regis” Allowed for Hotels in Singapore
In this rather interesting opposition proceeding, the Applicant, Staywell Hospitality Group Pty Ltd had applied to protect the trademark “Park Regis” in Classes 35 and 43, claiming, amongst others, business management, business administration, hotel services, hospitality services and etc. The Applicant, who originated from Australia, is the owner of a chain of 3- or 4-star […]
Our Very Own Curry War!
The feud between two different parties claiming to be owners of the trademark SRI PAANDI was highlighted to the public sometime in 2005 when the parties opened their South Indian restaurants near each other in the same block of shop lots in Petaling Jaya (PJ). Confusion arose among customers as not only did the restaurants […]
No Bones About It – Why Artril is Too Similar to Viartril
As pharmaceutical companies constantly work to develop new products, there are sure to be multiple drugs – either already available or in various stages of trials and testing – to alleviate any given ailment or the symptoms thereof. These companies rely heavily on IP law to ensure that their product and reputation remain unharmed by […]
Indonesian Patent Case Update: Novel or not Novel?
Hendry Yogiaman and Andi Lesmana are two Indonesians who claim to be inventors of the “Spring Buffer”, a shock absorbing automobile spare part made from rubber. They filed a Simple Patent for their invention on 8 December 2006, which was approved by the Patent Office and registered under registration number ID0000770S on 14 December 2007. […]
Malaysia: Family Feud Takes Center Stage in Patent Dispute
The Malaysian IP Court recently decided on a case where a family feud became entangled in an IP dispute involving five plaintiffs and seven defendants. Plaintiffs Soon Seng Palm Oil Mill (Gemas) Sdn. Bhd., Soon Seng Palm Products Sdn. Bhd., Gemas Oil Mill Sdn. Bhd., Dominion Palm Oil Mill Sdn. Bhd. and Soon Seng Palm […]
Panthera Tigris Malayensis (Malayan Tigers) in Court
The Malayan tiger is a ubiquitous national icon. A symbol of bravery, charm and regality, it is deservedly honored and depicted on the Malaysian Coat of Arms. Malaysia’s first national car, PROTON, adopted the abstract tiger-head as its emblem and badge-mark for its cars. The leading bank in Malaysia, Malayan Banking Berhad or Maybank, and […]
HTC Fights HTC in Indonesia
A well-known trademark is just like a magnet, in that the goodwill associated with it attracts a lot of people who want to exploit it for their own interests. Of course, this use is done on bad faith as their main purpose is to mislead consumers and create the wrong perception. This was precisely what […]