NEWS
07
07
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- How Patent Races Impact Innovation: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/07/06/patent-races-impact-innovation/id=123100/;
- Lessons on Patent Subject Matter Eligibility from Dropbox v. Synchronoss: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/07/02/lessons-patent-subject-matter-eligibility-dropbox-v-synchronoss/id=123009/;
- INSIGHT: Space Force and Netflix—A Lesson in Securing IP Rights: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/insight-space-force-and-netflix-a-lesson-in-securing-ip-rights;
- Vaseline, Smirnoff risk removal from trademark registry: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Vaseline-Smirnoff-risk-removal-from-trademark-registry/2560-5589140-89n8to/index.html;
- Conan Doyle Estate Sues Netflix Over Coming Movie About Sherlock Holmes' Sister: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/conan-doyle-estate-sues-netflix-coming-movie-sherlock-holmes-sister-1300108;
- The CJEU Brompton Bicycle case: a UK view: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-cjeu-brompton-bicycle-case-uk-view.html;
- 'It has been a battle': Montreal artist says her designs were stolen by online companies: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.5638941/it-has-been-a-battle-montreal-artist-says-her-designs-were-stolen-by-online-companies-1.5638947;
- Kanye West Trademarks ‘#WestDayEver’ For Clothing And Footwear: https://etcanada.com/news/664967/kanye-west-trademarks-westdayever-for-clothing-and-footwear/;
- China: PCT Applications Can Directly Enter The Italian National Phase: https://www.mondaq.com/china/trademark/962422/pct-applications-can-directly-enter-the-italian-national-phase;
- Indivisibility and visibility in invalidity proceedings of a Community design: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/07/indivisibility-and-visibility-in.html;
- Supreme Court sides with booking.com – generic.com trademarks not necessarily generic: https://www.intellectualpropertylawblog.com/archives/booking-generic-com-trademarks
29
06
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- These boots are made for walking...and not for copyright protection
- Latest information on Brexit
- European Cooperation: New Trade Mark Law in Cyprus
- EPO lifts conventionally bred patent ‘moratorium’
- When the consumer getting the mark all wrong might be good for the brand holder
- Stan Lee's daughter sanctioned over ‘meritless’ complaint
- Publishers May Not be Able to Embed Instagram Users’ Imagery Without Running Afoul of Copyright Law, Per SDNY
- EPO’s Annual Review 2019 published: progress made on strategic plan
- Rebranding a City: Milton Glaser and the Ubiquitous “I Love New York” Logo
- Another Spanish painting ruined by amateur restorer prompts call for regulation
22
06
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- General Court annuls EUIPO Board of Appeal decision on invalidity of Louis Vuitton chequerboard pattern
- Italian Supreme Court rules that technical regulation (drafted by an IP lawyer) may be *in principle* protected by copyright
- Finding a Way Forward: Analyzing Approaches to Artificial Intelligence Inventorship
- UK: Keep Calm And Carry Your Brand Through The COVID-19 Crisis
- Amazon, Valentino Team Up & File Suit Against Amazon Seller for Counterfeiting, Patent Infringement
- https://www.thefashionlaw.com/amazon-valentino-team-up-to-file-suit-against-amazon-seller-for-counterfeiting-patent-infringement/
- https://www.pambianconews.com/2020/06/19/amazon-e-valentino-causa-congiunta-ai-falsi-295801/
- Tom Petty estate issues cease and desist over Trump's use of song
- Instagram: copyright free-for-all?
- CJEU cancels ‘descriptive’ Russian ice cream mark
- Tinder and Bumble settle dating app dispute
- Saudi Arabia announces piracy crackdown amid WTO scrutiny
18
06
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- Vogue Owner Settles Suit Over “Black Vogue,” Forcing Designer to Permanently Abandon the Mark
- What Does a Case Over the Protectability of a Bike Design Have to Do With the Fashion Industry?
- https://www.thefashionlaw.com/what-does-a-case-over-the-protectability-of-a-bike-design-have-to-do-with-the-fashion-industry/;
- For previous coverage on the CJUE decision, see our newsletter on June 15th at https://www.bcip.it/it/news.
- US Copyright Office Review Board allows registration of Abercrombie & Fitch’s Store Front Sculpture
- Live updates: IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis
- Whoever invents a coronavirus vaccine will control the patent – and, importantly, who gets to use it
- The Freewheeling, Copyright-Infringing World of Custom-Printed Tees
- Amazon's IP Win Shields Customers From Follow-Up Suits
- Zoom says free users will get end-to-end encryption after all
15
06
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- Twitch Is Cracking Down on DJs:
- Apple granted patent for software that would let you take socially distant group selfies:
- How Pandemics Past and Present, Fuel the Fall of Small Businesses and the Rise of Mega-Corporations:
- Tiffany & Co. is Being Sued for Allegedly Infringing Color-Changing Stone Patent By Way of $1 Million Bracelet:
- WHO covid-19 IP pool launches this week without strong pharma support:
- Microsoft Files "Xbox Series" Trademark, Sparking Speculation Of Another Xbox:
- BREAKING: CJEU rules that a functional shape may be protected by copyright in so far as it is original:
- Four Ford Grille Designs Show Up In Trademark Filings:
- This week Apple won 6 Design Patents for Product Retainers, filed for the iPhone SE trademark, won a Figurative TM for AirPods+:
- Chanel is Looking to Expand Upon its Protections for its “Lego” Icon in New Trademark Application:
- https://www.thefashionlaw.com/chanel-is-looking-to-expand-upon-its-protections-for-its-lego-bag-in-new-trademark-application/.
26
05
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- A Stylized Word Mark in One Country May Be Too Simple and Common in Another: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/05/23/stylized-word-mark-one-country-may-simple-common-another/id=121845/
- Panasonic joins IP Open Access Declaration against COVID-19: https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/panasonic-joins-ip-open-access-declaration-against-covid-19/
- Patent Rights and Wrongs in the COVID-19 Pandemic: EU and U.S. Approaches to Compulsory Licensing: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/05/19/patent-rights-wrongs-covid-19-pandemic-eu-u-s-approaches-compulsory-licensing/id=121709/
- Manchester United sues Football Manager makers over use of name: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/22/manchester-united-sues-football-manager-makers-over-use-of-name
- Copyright Office Says Landmark Piracy Law Needs Fine-Tuning: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9388994/copyright-office-says-landmark-piracy-law-needs-fine-tuning
- China Releases the “Plan for Further Implementation of the National Intellectual Property Strategy to Accelerate the Construction of an Intellectual Property Power Country by 2020”: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/china-releases-plan-further-implementation-national-intellectual-property-strategy
- Closer Collaboration between the EUIPO and EURid to Benefit SMEs: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200525005092/en/Closer-Collaboration-EUIPO-EURid-Benefit-SMEs
- INSIGHT: Patent Ruling Begs the Question—What Is a Natural Person? https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tech-and-telecom-law/insight-patent-ruling-begs-the-question-what-is-a-natural-person
- India: IPR In Development Of Software Technology And Industry: https://www.mondaq.com/india/patent/940286/ipr-in-development-of-software-technology-and-industry
- Piaggio Group wins battle against Chinese copy of Vespa Primavera: https://www.campaignindia.in/article/piaggio-group-wins-battle-against-chinese-copy-of-vespa-primavera/461229
20
05
20
Wycon S.p.A. contro Kiko S.p.A. – Cass. Civ. 30 aprile 2020 n. 8433
Con sentenza del 30 aprile 2020 la Corte di Cassazione si è pronunciata sul caso Kiko-Wycon, fissando alcuni importanti punti relativi alla tutelabilità del layout di ambienti interni, con particolare riferimento, nel caso di specie, ai punti vendita della catena di negozi appartenenti alla Kiko S.p.A.
Protagoniste della presente controversia, sorta nel 2013, sono la Kiko S.p.A. (Kiko) e la Wycon S.p.A. (Wycon), entrambe società operanti nel settore della cosmesi. In particolare, la prima aveva lamentato dinnanzi al Tribunale di Milano la violazione dei diritti esclusivi relativi all’arredamento e all’allestimento (trade dress) dei propri negozi, da parte di Wycon.
La decisione di primo grado, così come quella di appello, avevano riconosciuto l’applicabilità della tutela autorale ex art. 2 n. 5 l.a. al design interno dei negozi Kiko, nonché la sussistenza di una fattispecie di concorrenza parassitaria ex art. 2598 comma 3 c.c., con conseguenti pronunce inibitorie e risarcitorie.
La recente decisione della Suprema Corte ha il merito di aver confermato e chiarito alcuni aspetti della legge sul diritto d’autore con specifico riferimento alle opere dell’architettura, servendosi a tal fine anche della recente giurisprudenza europea.
Tra i punti di maggiore interesse può anzitutto segnalarsi la riconducibilità stessa della fattispecie concreta all’art. 2 n. 10 l.a., inerente alla tutela delle opere dell’architettura. In particolare, la ricorrente ha sostenuto che il progetto di allestimento interno dei negozi non rientrasse nelle opere di natura architettonica, mancando il requisito dell’incorporazione del progetto nell’ambito di uno spazio specificamente individuato e con elementi strutturali fissi. Tuttalpiù, il caso avrebbe potuto essere ricondotto all’ art. 2 n. 10 l.a., che tutela invece le opere del design industriale.
A tale proposito, la Corte ha sancito che un progetto o un’opera di arredamento di interni è proteggibile ai sensi dell’art. 5 n. 2 l.a. “a prescindere dal requisito dell’inscindibile incorporazione degli elementi d’arredo con l’immobile”, in virtù dell’ampliamento del concetto di architettura a cui si è assistito negli anni, sposando dunque l’orientamento dottrinale prevalente. Si tratta di un aspetto rilevante, considerando che la pretesa applicabilità da parte della ricorrente (tuttalpiù) dell’art. 2 n. 10 l.a. avrebbe implicato la necessaria sussistenza di un requisito ulteriore ai fini della proteggibilità, ossia quello del “valore artistico”, espressamente previsto per le opere del design.
Wycon tuttavia, non solo ha criticato l’inquadramento del caso di specie nell’ambito dell’art. 2 n. 10 l.a., ma ha ritenuto di doversi escludere in toto l’applicabilità stessa del diritto d’autore, sostenendo che il design d’interni potesse essere semmai tutelabile quale marchio tridimensionale, come peraltro riconosciuto anche dalla Corte di Giustizia nel caso Apple (CGUE 10 Luglio 2014, Causa C‑421/13), richiamato dalla Corte di Cassazione. In effetti, Kiko aveva tentato di registrare il layout dei propri negozi come marchio tridimensionale, vedendo tuttavia rifiutata la propria domanda da parte dell’EUIPO “per carenza della capacità distintiva originaria o acquisita”.
La Corte di Cassazione ha affrontato tale tema facendo applicazione della recente giurisprudenza europea, in particolare relativa al caso Cofemel (12 Settembre 2019, Causa C-683/17). La citata decisione si era occupata della tutelabilità ai sensi del diritto d’autore delle opere del design industriale (si trattava, in particolare, di capi d’abbigliamento). La Corte aveva anzitutto confermato la cumulabilità della protezione garantita dalla disciplina sui disegni e modelli e quella derivante dal diritto d’autore, escludendo peraltro che tale ultima protezione potesse dipendere dalla sussistenza o meno di un particolare pregio estetico del prodotto. I giudici Europei avevano anzi richiamato il concetto di “opera” elaborato dalla stessa giurisprudenza europea, riferendosi a tal fine alle sentenze Infopaq e Levola Hengelo (rispettivamente: CGUE 16 Luglio 2009, Causa C-5/08 e CGUE 13 Novembre 2018, Causa C-310/17) affermando dunque che ciò che rileva ai fini dell’applicazione del diritto d’autore è la presenza di due requisiti: il carattere creativo e la precisa identificabilità dell’opera. Laddove tali requisiti siano soddisfatti dovrà ritenersi integrata la nozione di “opera” e, in quanto tale, essa sarà proteggibile tramite applicazione della legge sul diritto d’autore.
Vero è, come afferma la Corte di Cassazione nel presente caso, che le opere dell’architettura, così come quelle del design, si distinguono dalle opere di altra natura (quali quelle artistiche o letterarie), trattandosi di cosiddetta “arte applicata”, caratterizzata quindi da aspetti di funzionalità oltre che di mera elaborazione intellettuale, la cui “eccessiva” tutelabilità potrebbe determinare conseguenze lesive per la concorrenza, ma è altrettanto vero che «quando il legislatore ha voluto riservare la tutela autorale soltanto ad una fascia elevata di creatività, in correlazione alla specifica destinazione dell’opera dell’ingegno al mercato, lo ha indicato espressamente, come ad es. ha fatto per le opere del disegno industriale, per le quali l’art. 2 n.10 l.a. richiede sia il ‘carattere creativo’ sia il ‘valore artistico’».
Ora, tornando al caso di specie, i requisiti dell’originalità e della precisa identificabilità necessitano di un accertamento di fatto, che non può dunque essere operato dalla Corte di Cassazione. Tuttavia, i due precedenti gradi di giudizio ne hanno confermato la sussistenza. Da un lato, perché l’apporto creativo che caratterizza il progetto realizzato dallo Studio Iosa Ghini, commissionato da Kiko, risulta idoneo ad integrare il requisito previsto dalla normativa autorale, in quanto frutto non di mere scelte funzionali; dall’altro perché, seppur manchi, secondo la ricorrente, “un progetto di arredo definito in tutti i suoi connotati espressivi” (e il diritto d’autore, in effetti, tuteli le specifiche forme espressive e non le idee) i giudici di merito hanno ravvisato nel progetto di un concept-store generale una forma espressiva ben identificabile, destinata ad essere replicabile e adattabile alle diverse esigenze degli stores Kiko.
Sintesi delle valutazioni svolte si ritrova nel principio di diritto espresso dalla Corte di Cassazione, secondo cui: «in tema di diritto d'autore, un progetto o un'opera di arredamento di interni, nel quale ricorra una progettazione unitaria, con l'adozione di uno schema in sé definito e visivamente apprezzabile, che riveli una chiara "chiave stilistica", di componenti organizzate e coordinate per rendere l'ambiente funzionale ed armonico, ovvero l'impronta personale dell'autore, è proteggibile quale opera dell'architettura, ai sensi dell'art.5 n. 2 La. («i disegni e le opere dell'architettura»), non rilevando il requisito dell'inscindibile incorporazione degli elementi di arredo con l'immobile o il fatto che gli elementi singoli di arredo che lo costituiscano siano o meno semplici ovvero comuni e già utilizzati nel settore dell'arredamento di interni, purché si tratti di un risultato di combinazione originale, non imposto dalla volontà di dare soluzione ad un problema tecnico-funzionale da parte dell'autore».
11
05
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- The US Supreme Court makes history during the COVID-19 pandemic by streaming oral arguments for first time as the Justices work remotely. What is the case about? A dispute between the USPTO and Booking.com over a bid by the online reservation company to trademark the name. What is the case about? A dispute between the USPTO and Booking.com over a bid by the online reservation company to trademark the name.
- https://www.worldipreview.com/news/supremecourt-weighs-monopoly-fears-in-booking-com-dispute-19630;
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supremecourt-oral-arguments-remote-uspto-booking-com/;
- for more details on the case, see: https://www.scotusblog.com/casefiles/cases/united-states-patent-and-trademark-office-v-booking-com-b-v/.
- Italian Supreme Court applies CJEU Cofemel decision to makeup store layout.
- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/05/italiansupreme-court-applies-cjeu.html;
- for the full decision of the Italian Supreme Court, see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fICXafahdDOue6FoBx6VAlEgQoCj7OPn/view;
- for the EUCJ’s decision in the Cofemel case: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=217668&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=14505911.
- AI Programs Are Creating Fashion Designs and Raising Questions About Who (or What) is an Inventor.
- Patent exceptions in times of Covid-19: an Italian perspective.
- Chanel, What Goes Around Comes Around are Still Fighting Over the Sale of Chanel Bags, Including Potentially Authentic Ones.
- Trademark applications will drop during the coronavirus crisis, but globalisation offers hope of a speedy recovery.
- INTA Bulletin, Taking Action on Fake COVID-19 Products and Other Counterfeits.
- https://www.inta.org/INTABulletin/Pages/OLAF_Investigator_Marta_Castillo_Gonzalez_Interview_7508.aspx;
- for a direct link to the European AntiFraud Office, see: https://ec.europa.eu/antifraud/home_en.
- The Bad Spaniel Gets a Treat: VIP Products LLC v Jack Daniels Properties Inc.
- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/05/thebad-spaniel-gets-treat-vip-products.html;
- for the full decision of the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, see: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2020/03/31/1816012.pdf.
- Congress Asks Amazon’s Bezos to Testify on Use of Third-Party Seller Data.
04
05
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- The non-systematic relevance of earlier IP rights: from Gömböc to Brompton Bicycle
- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-non-systematic-relevance-of-earlier.html
- For the full text of the decision: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?oqp=&for=&mat=or&jge=&td=%3BALL&jur=C%2CT%2CF&page=1&dates=&pcs=Oor&lg=&parties=gomboc&pro=&nat=or&cit=none%252CC%252CCJ%252CR%252C2008E%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252Ctrue%252Cfalse%252Cfalse&language=it&avg=&cid=6037572
- ‘Welcome’ ruling by CJEU in Royalty Pharma SPC case
- https://www.intellectualpropertymagazine.com/legal_updates/welcome-ruling-by-cjeu-in-royalty-pharma-spc-case-141088.htm
- For the full text of the decision: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?oqp=&for=&mat=or&jge=&td=%3BALL&jur=C%2CT%2CF&page=1&dates=&pcs=Oor&lg=&parties=royalty%2Bpharma&pro=&nat=or&cit=none%252CC%252CCJ%252CR%252C2008E%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252C%252Ctrue%252Cfalse%252Cfalse&language=it&avg=&cid=8690203
- A Number of Amazon’s International Sites Are on the U.S. Trade Rep’s Annual IP “Black List”
- Canon and Toyota found COVID-19 IP partnership
- Trade marks and mobile apps: the PlanetArt v Photobox saga draws to a close (in PlanetArt's favour)
- USPTO: no room for artificial inventors
- The Hague Patents Court conducts first virtual hearing in patent case
- Fendi is the Latest Fashion Brand to be Sued for Allegedly Failing to License its Photos
- Spotify accused of stealing ad software trade secrets
- SkyKicked: High Court confirms trade mark infringement
29
04
20
NEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- COVID-19: further extension of deadlines
- Climate crisis drives shift towards sustainable fashion
- World IP Day and ‘The Sound of the Future’
- Can – and Should – Brands Sue Retailers, Resellers Over Price-Gouged Products During COVID-19?
- Twenty-fourth Plenary session: EDPB doubles down on COVID-19 guidance in newly adopted letters
- As FaceTime Photoshoots Find Favor in Fashion, What Does That Mean for Authorship and Ownership?
- American Antitrust Institute Materials on Competition Issues in the Healthcare Supply Chain
- Is COVID-19 a Nietzschean moment for trademarks and brands?
- Jay-Z takes action against 'deepfakes' of him rapping Hamlet and Billy Joel
- A New Fight is Brewing Between Nike and Puma, and it Centers on Nike’s “Footware” Trademark
15
04
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- The Moral Dimension of U.S. Patents: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/04/09/the-moral-dimension-of-us-patents/id=120519/;
- ICBII Announces the Approval of its latest patent on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeable Technology accelerating the company's progress towards treating Neuro-Degenerative Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/icbii-announces-approval-latest-patent-090000634.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cxLmlwbmV3c2ZsYXNoLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM36kz28lpxTrCoHSpadk0RHfTyr0ZzEjzv8KWK81zMqW5Fw16IjqJYc-j8KVxs5xKg71Mn79MHSE2y5eu27YoHZ40dsCDDQRHEBnkWBCKQSKkKPN3kWEQY09ZYtX1qLQUs8u3Z04w_9oBDri-VVPat3hnXIsCj7MbwFRFJI1X5L;
- Libraries, archives and museums working together on copyright: the Dutch example: https://pro.europeana.eu/post/libraries-archives-and-museums-working-together-on-copyright-the-dutch-example;
- Online Enforcement of IP: https://www.bananaip.com/ip-news-center/online-enforcement-of-ip/;
- Trademark Office Deadlines and Coronavirus-Related Delays (Update #3): https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/trademark-office-deadlines-and-75585/;
- Tom Brady is trying to trademark ‘Tompa Bay’ and ‘Tampa Brady’: https://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/21128211/tom-brady-is-trying-to-trademark-tompa-bay-and-tampa-brady;
- Chinese government subsidies fuel surge in patents but experts warn it’s quantity over quality: https://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/3079878/chinese-government-subsidies-fuel-surge-patents-experts-warn-its;
- International Trademark Association to Hold 2020 Annual Meeting in November in US: http://www.ag-ip-news.com/news.aspx?id=53225&lang=en;
- United States: The Growing Importance Of International Arbitration For Intellectual Property Disputes: https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/arbitration-dispute-resolution/906374/the-growing-importance-of-international-arbitration-for-intellectual-property-disputes;
- Michael Jordan wins trademark case in China's top court: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38246196.
08
04
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- Apple wins Patents for a Future Optical Keyboard and their AR 'Measure' App:
- UN intellectual property agency admits possible wider access to patented drugs and medical supplies:
- Forget Sussex Royal, Harry and Meghan’s Foundation Has a New Name: Archewell:
- Zara Responds to $3 Million Amiri Lawsuit: “Your Jeans are Generic, Functional”:
- USPTO Extends Trademark And Patent Deadlines Due to Coronavirus Pandemic:
- Samsung patents a quad-curved screen that leaves little room for buttons and ports:
- COVID-19: The Invisible Enemy Revisited:
- Will pharma commit to delivering affordable therapeutics against COVID-19?:
- McGregor knocked back in clothing trademark scrap:
- We need to relax intellectual property rules to fight this virus:
06
04
20
CJUE rules Amazon is not liable for storage of counterfeit goods.
By Serena Bertinetto.
On 2 April 2020, the Fifth Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) delivered a highly-anticipated preliminary ruling in a case initiated by Coty Germany GmbH (“Coty”) against several Amazon group companies (“Amazon”) in 2014.
The request for a preliminary ruling was made by the Bundesgerichtshof (i.e., the German Federal Court of Justice). The German Court requested the CJUE to determine whether, pursuant to EU law, a company can be held liable for trademark infringement, for storing goods on behalf of a third-party seller for the express purpose of offering them on the market, if such goods are infringing intellectual property rights.
The case arises from an investigation made by Coty back in 2014.
Coty, a well-known distributor of perfumes and cosmetics, holds a license for the EU registered trademark “DAVIDOFF”. In 2014, one of Coty’s investigators made a test purchase for a Davidoff Hot Water fragrance on Amazon’s third-party marketplace (the “Amazon Marketplace”).
The Amazon Marketplace provides, inter alia, the so called “Fulfilment by Amazon” scheme: under such scheme, goods for sale are stored by Amazon in its warehouses; subsequently, the goods are dispatched by Amazon itself or by different external service providers.
After receiving a counterfeit product from Amazon as a result of its test purchase, Coty decided to file a trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon.
The case was then referred to the CJEU in order to ascertain whether, pursuant to Article 9(2)(b) of Regulation No 207/2009 and Article 9(3)(b) of Regulation 2017/1001, a company that, on behalf of a third-party seller, stores goods infringing trademark rights (if unaware of such violation) is itself using the mark.
The CJEU concluded that “in order for the storage of goods bearing signs identical, or similar to trade marks to be classified as ‘using’ those signs, it is also necessary […] for the economic operator providing the storage itself [i.e., in this case, Amazon] to pursue the aim referred to by those provisions, which is offering the goods or putting them on the market”. Should this condition miss from the equation, the mere storage of counterfeit goods cannot be defined as “use of a trademark” (see the CJEU’s judgment, points 45-46).
It appears, indeed, that the core of the CJUE’s logic revolves around the idea that “the fact of creating the technical conditions necessary for the use of a sign and being paid for that service does not mean that the party offering the service itself uses the sign” (see the CJEU’s judgment, point 43, also quoting other CJEU precedents on this issue).
At last, while not all relevant stakeholders may agree with the CJUE’s conclusions, this decision appears to have finally clarified some aspects of online marketplaces’ scope of civil liability when dealing with counterfeit goods.
We will have to wait to see if and how this approach will evolve, especially in those cases where Amazon (as well as other online marketplaces) play a more active role in the distribution of goods and products.
Check out a copy of the full decision at: https://bit.ly/2JAXYnp.
30
03
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- US court rules that unlicensed reproduction of NBA players' tattoos in their videogame avatars is not a copyright infringement
- Do Your ‘Home Work’: Keeping Trade Secrets Safe While Working Remotely
- A Print, a “Pajama Dressing” Brand, and a Copyright Lesson in the Age of Instagram
- Innovators Rush to Solve Coronavirus Pandemic While Countries Contemplate Compulsory Licensing
- A Cosmic Copyright Conundrum: ‘Star Trek,’ Space Force, SCOTUS and Blackbeard’s Shipwreck
- What is the Status of Your Fashion-Centric Contracts in the U.S. in the Light of Extensive COVID-19 Delays?
- Sanofi Decision Presents Opportunities to Clear the Patent Thicket for Generic Pharmaceuticals
- German Decision Puts Unified Patent Court Agreement in Jeopardy
- “Panic buying is good for counterfeiters” – warning to food industry over heightened threat
- Olympics Postponed, But Will Retain 'Tokyo 2020' Name
23
03
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis.
- Find a live update of the different measures adopted by most IP Offices to deal with COVID19 outbreak at the following link: https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/brandmanagement/ip-offices-implement-measures-in-wake-of-coronavirus-crisis.
- What’s in a Name? Thaddeus O’Neil Lands a Win in its Longstanding Fight with Surf Brand O’Neill.
- What’s in a name? Enforcing trademark rights and the ‘own name’ defence.
- https://www.worldipreview.com/contributedarticle/what-s-in-a-name-enforcing-trademark-rights-and-the-own-name-defence;
- For previous coverage on this story: https://www.thefashionlaw.com/abritish-comedian-legally-changed-his-name-to-hugo-boss-to-protest-brands-aggressive-trademark-enforcement/, and
- https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/02/uk/joelycett-hugo-boss-protest-intl-scli-gbr/index.html.
- No, Seriously, Don't Try To 'Trademark' Coronavirus.
- How TikTok Used Blockchain to Defeat Copyright Infringement.
- https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2020/03/17/tiktokused-blockchain-defeat-copyright-infringement/id=119878/.
- Research finds embarrassment is a key deterrent against purchasing fake goods.
- Levandowski [former head of Uber’s self-driving unit] agrees plea deal over Google self-driving car secrets theft.
- https://www.worldipreview.com/news/levandowskiagrees-plea-deal-over-google-self-driving-car-secrets-theft-19463.;
- https://www.reuters.com/article/usuber-autonomous-levandowski/former-uber-self-driving-head-levandowski-agrees-to-plea-deal-over-google-secrets-idUSKBN21646I.
- Led Zeppelin didn’t steal ‘Stairway To Heaven’ riff says appeals court.
- https://www.worldipreview.com/news/ledzeppelin-didn-t-steal-stairway-to-heaven-riff-says-appeals-court-19428;
- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/09/arts/music/ledzeppelin-lawsuit-stairway-to-heaven.html;
Now it’s your turn to judge:
- Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkF3oxziUI4;
- Spirit – Taurus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8lFJWNgowo.
- The Counterfeit Problem and How Retailers Can Fight Back in 2020.
- Website offering anti covid-19 drugs obscured.
- https://siac.gdf.gov.it/notizie/Pagine/Firenze19-marzo-2020.aspx (only available in Italian);
Huge seizure of harmful and unsafe masks by the Italian Guardia di Finanza in Catania.
- https://siac.gdf.gov.it/notizie/Pagine/Catania18-marzo-2020.aspx (only available in Italian);
More than 1,500 litres of hand sanitizer seized.
- https://siac.gdf.gov.it/notizie/Pagine/Napoli18-marzo-2020.aspx (only available in Italian).
17
03
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
1. Statement of the EDPB Chair on the processing of personal data in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak
2. EPO and EUIPO extend deadlines in response to COVID-19 pandemic- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/03/breaking-epo-and-euipo-extend-all.html
- https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/it/news?p_p_id=csnews_WAR_csnewsportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=2&journalId=5644669&journalRelatedId=manual/
3. Italian Patents and Trademarks Office (UIBM). Terms suspension until April 3rd
4. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/395 of 6 March 2020 entering a name in the register of traditional specialities guaranteed ‘Amatriciana Tradizionale’ (TSG)
5. How the biggest names in luxury fashion are funding the fight against the coronavirus pandemic
6. Broadcom blames Netflix for harming cable TV industry in patent suit
7. Are Steve Madden’s New Star-Emblazoned Sneakers Going to Get the Brand Sued by Golden Goose?
8. Nintendo wins PTAB dispute over Switch infringement
- https://www.intellectualpropertymagazine.com/patent/nintendo-wins-ptab-dispute-over-switch-infringement-140126.htm
- https://www.worldipreview.com/news/broadcom-blames-netflix-for-harming-cable-industry-in-patent-suit-19445
9. Class 9 applications skyrocket due to expansion – and domination – of the tech industry
10. Italian Guardia di Finanza seized 36 sales offers on Amazon and E-bay e-commerce portals for products related to epidemic prevention, masks and gel disinfectants
09
03
20
OUR SELECTION OF #IPNEWS AND ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
- Reflections on IP exclusivity in the wake of the Corona virus outbreak
- Check, contain, postpone – IP offices implement measures in wake of coronavirus crisis
- A growing number of brands are placing increased emphasis on slightly less traditional trademarks, such as color
- Researchers find that dark web remains problematic channel for brand fraud and counterfeit goods
- Why the Italian government’s draft bill on ambush marketing does not go far enough
- RCDs in focus – New research from the EUIPO shows that Registered Community Design (RCD) filings increased by 32% between 2010 and 2019, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.
- 10 Years After Tiffany v. eBay, A New Bill Aiming to Hold Online Platforms Liable for Counterfeits is Introduced in the US
- Most TikTok influencers at risk of brand infringement; urged to consider trademark protection
- The draft Common Practice documents of the EUIPO project CP11 “New Types of Trade Mark – Examination of formal requirements and grounds for refusal and invalidity” have been made available in English for comments.
- EU officials arrest 165 in counterfeit drug operation
05
03
20
The Italian Government's measures to protect the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games and the ATP Turin Finals’ intangible assets.
For the upcoming Olympic Winter Games which will be hosted in Italy in 2026, the Italian Government has recently issued a draft proposal relating to the measures necessary for “the organization and management of the XXV Olympic Winter Games and the XIV Paralympic Winter Games 'Milano Cortina 2026' and for the organization and management of the 'ATP Turin 2021-2025 Finals'".
Considering the crucial role of distinctive signs for the organization and promotion of the Olympic Games, the Italian Government sets out several provisions dedicated to their protection.
In particular, Article 9 defines as Olympic properties the Olympic symbol, the flag, the motto, the emblems, the anthem, the identifying expressions of the Games, the designations, and the flames. The use of said Olympic properties will be expressly reserved to the International Olympic Committee (the “IOC”), the other organizing Olympic bodies, and to the entities that may be authorized to such purpose by the IOC itself.
In addition, Article 9 introduces an absolute impediment to the registration as trademark of:
- the Olympic symbol;
- any sign that includes words or references to the Olympic symbol, the Olympic Games or the relating events, which may create a link between the organization of the Olympic Games.
The impediment also refers to the words “Olympic” and “Olympics” in any language and form, as well as the combination of “Milano Cortina” and the year 2026.
The impediment will cease to have effect only as of 31 December 2026.
Article 10 provides that the same rules and impediments will apply in connection with the 2026 Paralympic Games and the symbol “Agitos”, which has represented the Paralympic Games since the Games of Athens in 2003.
Finally, additional provisions are aimed specifically at hindering the practice of ambush marketing in connection with high-profile sports events.
In this regard, Article 18 expressly prohibits ambush marketing in connection with national as well as international sports or trade fair events. The provision bars all ads that might generate confusion in the consumer on the identity of the events’ official sponsors, or an improper link between the company and the sports event. In particular, the draft currently identifies as ambush marketing:
- the creation of an indirect link between a trademark, or any other distinctive sign, and a national or international sports or trade fair event in order to mislead the consumer on the identity of the official sponsors;
- falsely stating that a company is an official sponsor of a national or international sports or trade fair event;
- promoting a trademark, or any other distinctive sign, in any manner that might generate a misconception on the company’s role as official sponsor of a national or international sports or trade fair event;
- selling and advertising of products or services unlawfully distinguished by a trademark or a logo that is connected to a national or international sports or trade fair event.
These latter provisions will also apply in connection with the ATP Finals, which will be hosted in Turin, Italy, from 2021 to 2025.
It looks like this draft proposal will be adopted in the form of a law decree for the urgent nature of the interests at stake; therefore the provisions described above will likely come into force in the near future, providing an effective protection to the distinctive signs associated with the Olympic Games, their image and commercial exploitation.