Timor-Leste: The Emerging Landscape for Trademarks and Industrial Designs in ASEAN’s Newest Member
By Alvin Boey The halls of Kuala Lumpur recently played host to a gathering that underlined one clear truth: ASEAN is no longer a back-water of global commerce, it is a global crossroads. At the 47th ASEAN Summit hosted in Kuala Lumpur between 26 and 28 October 2025, leaders from across Southeast Asia sat alongside […]
Practical Guide For Trademark Use In Vietnam
By Van Trinh Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are gaining significant attention from the Vietnamese government, not only as a means to safeguard the true value of IP assets but also as a catalyst for technology and innovation. Backed by strong governmental support and a clear national strategy to combat counterfeiting and protect consumers, Vietnam is […]
Tiktok Lost Its Trademark Opposition Against ‘Tiki’ In Singapore: A Trademark Showdown Explained
By Eloise Wilkes-Barnewall When big companies perceive the registration of a particular trademark could impose on their trademark protection, and consequently, their brand reputation and market presence, it is not uncommon for them to challenge the application of said threatening trademarks. In December 2021 and January 2022, tech giant ByteDance Ltd (“the Opponent”), owner of […]
Trademark Filings in ASEAN: A Five-Year Outlook (2020–2024)
In the last five years, trademark activity across ASEAN has painted a fascinating picture of how businesses and brands are expanding their presence in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. From Indonesia’s booming numbers to Malaysia’s steady climb, the filing data tells a story of ambition, growth, and resilience. At KASS International, we’ve had […]
Well-Known Marks Are Now Registered Ex-Parte in The Philippines
By Ma. Syril Diesta In a significant development for brand owners, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has allowed the ex-parte registration of well-known marks in the Philippines. With the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 2025-009 effective 28 April 2025, IPOPHL has officially launched the Rules and Regulations for the Declaration and Creation […]
Invalidation Battle Can CROSSFIT cross CrossFeet?
By Eloise Wilkes-Barnewall Challenging the validity of a registered trademark through ‘invalidation’ is one of the powerful tools for trademark enforcement. In Singapore, an invalidation claim against a registered trademark can be filed on the basis that it fails to meet registrability criteria. This process took centre stage in the dispute between CrossFit LLC (“CrossFit”) […]
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. […]
Trademark Opposition in Singapore: A Case Study
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, and the opponent, […]
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 […]
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 […]