1. Alibaba to pay $250 million to settle lawsuit over pre-IPO warning on counterfeiting:

• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alibaba-settlement/alibaba-pays-250-million-to-settle-lawsuit-over-pre-ipo-counterfeiting-warning-idUSKCN1S51DO;

2. Why celebrities try to trademark their catchphrases and baby names:

• https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/4/19/18507920/celebrity-trademark-history-baby-names-taylor-swift;

3. Computer store drops trademark claim against Taylor Swift:

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/computer-store-drops-trademark-claim-against-taylor-swift-17926;

4. Ford sues local dealership for breaching TM contract:

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/ford-sues-local-dealership-for-breaching-tm-contract-17937;

5. Record-Breaking K-Pop Group BTS is Fighting Off an Explosion of Counterfeit Tour Merch:

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/k-pop-mega-stars-bts-is-fighting-off-an-explosion-of-counterfeit-tour-merch;

6. EV battery maker LG Chem sues SK Innovation, alleges trade secret theft:

• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lg-chem-sk-innovation-lawsuit/ev-battery-maker-lg-chem-sues-sk-innovation-alleges-trade-secret-theft-idUSKCN1S60H9;

7. Cybercriminals continue to target intellectual property, putting brand reputation at risk:

• https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2019/05/02/cybercriminals-target-intellectual-property/;

8. USA: dozens of crypto trademarks registered:

• https://cryptonomist.ch/en/2019/05/01/usa-crypto-trademarks/;

9. Global Semiconductor Intellectual Property Market 2019 By Competitive Measure – Cast Inc., Ceva Inc., eSilicon Corporation:

• https://autodadz.com/global-semiconductor-intellectual-property-market-2019-by-competitive-measure-cast-inc-ceva-inc-esilicon-corporation/;

10. Everything is awesome: Lego blocks “Lepin” trade mark registration:

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/05/everything-is-awesome-lego-blocks-lepin.html.

1. The Trade Mark Adventures of Zara: Fashion Markets Moving Fast

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/thetrade-mark-adventures-of-zara.html

2. Intellectual Property 101: A Primer

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/intellectualproperty-rights-a-primer

3. The Future of Patents on Genetically Modified Organisms in India

• https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/04/27/futurepatents-genetically-modified-organisms-india/id=108582/

4. The first non-traditional trademark registrations have been granted in Mexico

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/thefirst-non-traditional-trademark.html

5. China amends trade mark and unfair competition law to tackle trade mark squatting and enforcement issues

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/chinaamends-trade-mark-and-unfair.html

6. Almost Anyone Can Use NASA’s Name and Logos, Just Don't Call it a Collaboration

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/almostanyone-can-use-nasas-name-and-logo-just-dont-call-it-a-collaboration

7. Kering is Reportedly Close to $1.5 to $1.6 Billion Settlement in Gucci Tax Case

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/keringis-reportedly-close-to-between-15-and-16-billion-settlement-in-gucci-tax-case

8. Personalized Media Communications Sues Google, Netflix and Akami Over Content Delivery Patents

• https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/04/25/personalizedmedia-communications-sues-google-netflix-and-akami-over-content-delivery-patents/id=108566/

9. April 26: World IP Day Celebrations, Special 301 Report, and Amazon Helps Identify Patent Infringers

• https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/04/26/otherbarks-bites-for-friday-april-26-world-ip-day-celebrations-special-301-report-and-amazon-helps-identify-patent-infringers/id=108636/

10. Music industry takes aim at Fortnite over song royalties

• https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/29/musicindustry-takes-aim-at-fortnite-over-song-royalties

1. The boot is on the other foot: French Supreme Court reconsiders the notion of informed user

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/theboot-is-on-other-foot-french.html;
• For the full decision (available only in French): https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichJuriJudi.do?oldAction=rechJuriJudi&idTexte=JURITEXT000038264958&fastReqId=1350727366&fastPos=1.

2. GoT season premiere pirated over 54 million times in first 24 hours

• http://www.ippromagazine.com/ippromagazinenews/industryarticle.php?article_id=6663.

3. O2 retrieves infringing .company domain

• http://www.ippromagazine.com/ippromagazinenews/article.php?article_id=6660;
• For the full decision: https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/text/2019/d20190124.html.

4. IP plays a role in decolonising cultural heritage: over 100 experts warn France

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/ipplays-role-in-decolonising-cultural.html.

5. The French Government is Working on Legislation to Ban Destruction of Unsold Fashion

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/followingfrom-circular-roadmap-french-government-working-on-legislation-to-ban-destruction-of-unsold-fashion;
• https://www.ecotextile.com/2018042523440/fashionretail-news/france-proposes-law-to-tackle-unsold-clothing-problem.html;
• https://wwd.com/businessnews/business-features/france-prepares-law-to-ban-destroying-unsold-clothes-1203112885/.

6. Can the Fashion Industry Ever Really Be Sustainable?

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/canthe-fashion-industry-ever-really-be-sustainable;
• For the full 2018 Report by Global Fashion Agenda: https://www.globalfashionagenda.com/publications/#pulseofthefashionindustryreport.

7. Gigi Hadid Sued for Posting a Photo on Instagram

• https://www.intellectualpropertynews.com/copyrightnews/gigi-hadid-sued-for-posting-a-photo-on-instagram/;
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellekaminsky/2019/01/29/gigihadid-sued-over-unauthorized-publication-of-paparazzi-photo-on-instagram/.

8. WTR’s round-up of news, developments and insights from across the trademark sphere

• https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/anticounterfeiting/trump-riffs-game-thrones-again-inta-gives-back-and-rise-heritage-brands.

9. Massive seizure of “Made in China” products in Brindisi

• https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Maxisequestro-di-prodotti-Made-in-China-nel-porto-di-Brindisi.aspx.

• Why you should care about trade secrets and how to protect them: https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/04/12/why-you-should-care-about-trade-secrets-and-how-to.html
• Clothing Line’s Vulgar Name Tests Supreme Court on Trademark Rights: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-12/clothing-line-s-vulgar-name-tests-high-court-on-trademark-rights
• The Beatles music company challenges counterfeiters in court: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/the-beatles-music-company-challenges-counterfeiters-in-court-17799
• LG Will Attempt to Make the Future of Smartphones Rollable, Not Foldable, According to Latest Trademark Filings: https://wccftech.com/lg-rollable-smartphones-trademark-filing/
• Iceland loses EU trademark following government intervention: http://www.ippromagazine.com/ippromagazinenews/article.php?article_id=6652
• Barbarians at the Gate: AI and Copyright on a Collision Course: http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/Editorial/Industry-Insights/Barbarians-at-the-Gate-AI-and-Copyright-on-a-Collision-Course-131012.htm
• China Evolves From ‘Copier’ to ‘Innovator,’ Posing Serious Threat, Experts Say: https://www.theepochtimes.com/china-evolves-from-copier-to-innovator-posing-a-serious-threat-say-experts_2879572.html
• Digital dilemma: Japan flirts with overly aggressive online copyright law: https://japantoday.com/category/crime/digital-dilemma-japan-flirts-with-overly-aggressive-online-copyright-law
• Patent Eligibility of Medical Diagnostic Inventions: Where Are We Now, and Where Are We Headed?: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/04/14/patent-eligibility-of-medical-diagnostics-inventions-where-are-we-now-and-where-is-there-to-go/id=108263/
• WIPO Launches State-of-the-Art Artificial Intelligence-Based Image Search Tool for Brands: http://www.ag-ip-news.com/news.aspx?id=50906&lang=en

1. IP and Sociology: the symbolism of IP

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/ipand-sociology-symbolism-of-ip.html
• A broader analysis of the “Matthew Effect” can be read at the following link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/234750.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Add97f0c107d6f67ab2e12c95d06e3edc&seq=1/analyze

2. Color or figurative trademarks – that’s the question

• https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/04/05/coloror-figurative-trademarks-thats-the-question/
• Hereby the link to the Court of First Instance Judgment: https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/portfoliomanagement/finnish-court-requests-preliminary-ruling-regarding-colour-mark
• The ECJ judgment can be read at: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=212285&pageIndex=0&doclang=IT&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=1026584

3. Can I have a Big Mac – or should I now say “layered double cheeseburger”? Amid non-use and well-known facts

• https://iplens.org/2019/04/03/cani-have-a-big-mac-or-should-i-now-say-layered-double-cheeseburger-amid-non-use-and-well-known-facts/
• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/01/euipocancels-mcdonalds-big-mac-trade.html
• https://www.blakemorgan.co.uk/newsevents/blog/big-mac-suffers-big-loss-euipo/
• https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/31/likea-big-mac-but-juicier-burger-king-renames-sandwiches-to-troll-mcdonalds
• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/chinesecourt-okays-single-color-trademarks-in-latest-louboutin-decision

4. Converse lost a dispute for a shoe sole in the EU

• https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/converselost-a-dispute-for-a-shoe-sole-in-the-eu/
• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eugeneral-court-rejects-converse-tm-appeal-17717
• The General Court of the European Union ruling can be read at: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=196416&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=6587729

5. Peppa Pig meets Tobbia – a tale of pigs and tapirs

• https://iplens.org/2019/03/27/peppa-pig-meets-tobbia-a-tale-of-pigs-and-tapirs/

6. The report on ‘Competition policy for the digital era’ is out: why change the law if there is no evidence? And how?

• https://chillingcompetition.com/2019/04/05/thereport-on-competition-policy-for-the-digital-era-is-out-why-change-the-law-if-there-is-no-evidence-and-how/
• The Commission report can be read at: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/publications/reports/kd0419345enn.pdf

7. 5 Big Breakthroughs to Anticipate in 3D Printing

• https://singularityhub.com/2019/04/08/5big-breakthroughs-to-anticipate-in-3d-printing/#sm.0000ly25b0oiieawx522j2j1fku4z

8. Veja Alludes to Impending Lawsuit Against Primark, but Does it Have a Case?

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/veja-alludes-to-impending-lawsuit-against-primark-but-does-it-have-a-case

9. “You can’t sleep or you will fall behind”: exclusive look inside Alibaba’s fight against fakes

• https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/anticounterfeiting/you-cant-sleep-or-you-will-fall-behind-exclusive-look-inside-alibabas-fight
• On the same issue take a look at: https://smallbiztrends.com/2013/09/alibabacounterfeit-issue-highlighted.html
• https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/fakegoods-weeded-out-successfully-on-taobao-alibaba
• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/alibaba-anti-counterfeiting-alliance-seizes-536m-of-fakes-in-2018-17744​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

10. The Italian Guardia di Finanza seized more than 200.000 counterfeit products (in Italian)

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrati-al-porto-oltre-200-mila-articoli.aspx​​​​​​​

11. “OFFSIDE COUNTERFEITING 2” mission (in Italian)

• ​​​​​​​https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/OperazioneOFFSIDE-COUNTERFEITING-2-05.aspx

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1. IACC says it disrupts counterfeit sales on iOffer:

• https://www.securingindustry.com/iacc-says-it-disrupts-counterfeit-sales-on-ioffer/s112/a9566/;

2. Fashion brand turns to crypto tokens to fight fakes:

• https://www.securingindustry.com/clothing-and-accessories/fashion-brand-turns-to-crypto-tokens-to-fight-fakes/s107/a9530/;

3. Battle of Supremes: How 'legal fakes' are challenging a $1B brand:

• https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/supreme-italia-legal-fake/index.html;

4. DSM Directive Series #2: Is the press publishers' right waivable?:

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/04/dsm-directive-series-2-is-press.html;

5. EU General Court rejects Converse TM appeal:

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eu-general-court-rejects-converse-tm-appeal-17717;

6. What Brexit means for UK Intellectual Property rights:

•  https://trademarklawyermagazine.com/what-brexit-means-for-uk-intellectual-property-rights/;

7. Rival sues Monster over its ‘knockoff’ Reign brand:

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/singapore-ip-office-opens-new-gi-registry-for-worldwide-applications-17715;

8. ‘Just say it’ too similar to Nike’s ‘Just do it’, TTAB holds:

• https://www.intellectualpropertymagazine.com/trademark/just-say-it-too-similar-to-nikes-just-do-it-ttab-holds-134356.htm;

9. Book Review: Non-Conventional Copyright, Do New and Atypical Works Deserve Protection?:

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/book-review-non-conventional-copyright.html;

10. Italian Guardia di Finanza has seized more than 7.000 counterfeit shoes in Brindisi:

• https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrate-oltre-settemila-scarpe-contraffatte.aspx.

1. Fake goods trade rises to €460bn: EUIPO and OECD

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/fake-goods-trade-rises-to-460bn-euipo-and-oecd-17675;
• https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/it/news/-/action/view/5031024;
• https://www.marques.org/blogs/class46/?XID=BHA4723;

2. CJEU applies Louboutin, clarifying notion of ‘shape, or another characteristic, which gives substantial value to the goods’

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/cjeu-applies-louboutin-clarifying.html;

3. Italy’s top court rules in major Yahoo! takedown case

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/italy-s-top-court-rules-in-major-yahoo-takedown-case-17686;
• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/italian-supreme-court-clarifies.html;  

4. Lego scores TM victory at UKIPO

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/lego-scores-tm-victory-at-ukipo-17683;

5. Peppa Pig creators win trademark invalidity claim

•  https://www.worldipreview.com/news/peppa-pig-creators-win-trademark-invalidity-claim-17678:

6. One of the Most In-Demand Skill Sets in Fashion Right Now? Luxury Authentication:

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/one-of-the-most-in-demand-skill-sets-in-fashion-right-now-luxury-authentication;

7. Jaguar wins landmark case against Chinese copy of Evoque model

• https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/22/jaguar-land-rover-wins-landmark-case-against-chinese-evoque-copycat;

8. Bacardi won a case in Turkey for a trademark that has been never used there

• https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/bacardi-won-a-case-in-turkey-for-a-trademark-that-has-been-never-used-there/;

9. Law Enforcement Busts $15 Million-Plus Counterfeiting Ring in Shanghai

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/law-enforcement-busts-15-million-plus-counterfeiting-ring-in-shanghai;

10. Operation “Golden Brand”: the Italian Guardia di Finanza seized products bearing counterfeit trademarks with a value of 10.000.000 euros

• https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Operazione-Golden-brand.aspx.

1. Apple infringed three Qualcomm patents, jury finds

• https://www.reuters.com/article/usapple-qualcomm/apple-infringed-three-qualcomm-patents-jury-finds-idUSKCN1QW2KB

2. A brief introduction of the new Chinese Foreign Investment Law its protection for IPR

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/abrief-introduction-of-new-chinese.html
• for the full text of the Foreign Investment Law, see: https://www.chinalawtranslate.com/en/%E4%B8%AD%E5%8D%8E%E4%BA%BA%E6%B0%91%E5%85%B1%E5%92%8C%E5%9B%BD%E5%A4%96%E5%95%86%E6%8A%95%E8%B5%84%E6%B3%95/  (the text is translated in English by an unofficial third party)

3. Chinese Court Okays Single-Color Trademarks in Latest Louboutin Decision

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/chinesecourt-okays-single-color-trademarks-in-latest-louboutin-decision

4. Marc Jacobs Asks Court to Dismiss Nirvana LLC's "Egregious" Smiley Face Case

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/marcjacobs-asks-court-to-dismiss-nirvanas-egregious-case

5. As Bad Faith Trademark Filings Continue to Target Western Brands, China Proposes a Fix

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/asbad-faith-trademark-filings-continue-to-target-western-brands-china-proposes-a-fix

6. Paris Tribunal strikes again and guts Google’s T&C’s…including its copyright clauses for user-generated content

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/paristribunal-strikes-again-and-guts.html

7. There is no such thing as too much Peruvian (and other) IP news from Latin America

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/thereis-no-such-thing-as-too-much.html

8. Adidas won a trademark opposition in Japan

• https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/03/11/adidaswon-a-trademark-opposition-in-japan/

9. Danladi v Tiwalope Savage and another - (Nigerian) “Blurred Line” or “Shape of You”?

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/danladiv-tiwalope-savage-and-another.html

10. During Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day the Italian Guardia di Finanza intensifies its activities against trade of counterfeit and unsafe products.

• http://www.gdf.gov.it/stampa/ultimenotizie/anno-2019/marzo/a-carnevale-e-a-san-valentino-intensificata-l2019attivita-a-contrasto-del-commercio-dei-201cfalsi201d-e-dei-prodotti-non-sicuri#null (in Italian only).

1. The Behind-the-Scenes Battles for the Lucrative Gig of Making Luxury Brands' Accessible Wares

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/thebehind-the-scenes-battles-to-make-luxury-brands-accessible-wares

2. Disney ranked most intimate brand

• https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/anticounterfeiting/disney-ranked-most-intimate-brand-oman-sound-marks-and-new-instagram-ad;
• for the official 2019 top ranking, see: https://mblm.com/lab/rankingtool/;
• to read the full Brand Intimacy Study 2019, go check: https://mblm.com/lab/brandintimacystudy/.

3. Patent infringement and recovery of profits in Italy: doctrine of equivalence and requirement of negligence

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/patentinfringement-and-recovery-of.html
• for the full decision, check out: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cyktJmbBdtY10HAq6lXbqZ1IQofhTDf/view (only available in Italian).

4. An Inside Job: The Counterfeit Bust that Put Hermès' Own Employees Under the Microscope

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/aninside-job-the-2012-counterfeit-bust-that-put-herms-own-employees-under-the-microscope;
• for a sample of the original story coverage: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/newsfeatures/TMG9338465/Hermes-employees-found-to-be-in-on-counterfeit-ring.html.

5. Apple's trade mark opposition goes pear shaped...

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/applestrade-mark-opposition-goes-pear.html
• to read the full decision, check out: https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearchCLW/#basic/*///number/T215%2F17.

6. MARRY ME is descriptive for online dating (even if you are really just dating)

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/marryme-is-descriptive-for-online.html;
• Check out the full decision at: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf;jsessionid=52666515227AD8AEC4F29FB04F24565F?text=&docid=210522&pageIndex=0&doclang=FR&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=2239301, (in French and German only).

7. Netflix and Jerry Media are Being Sued for Allegedly Stealing Influencer's Video for Fyre Fest Documentary

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/netflixjerry-media-sued-for-allegedly-stealing-influencers-video-for-fyre-fest-documentary;
• for a different perspective on this matter and the Influencers’ role in promoting events: https://www.bbc.com/news/46945662.

8. Monster Energy’s trademark opposition fails before UKIPO

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/monsterenergy-s-trademark-opposition-fails-before-ukipo-17619;
• For the full decision, check out: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tchallenge-decision-results/o12619.pdf.

9. Swedish trade mark court sees its true colours shining through

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/03/swedishtrade-mark-court-sees-its-true.html.

1.    Fashion designer accuses Janelle Monáe of plagiarism for Grammy performance: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/12/fashion-designer-accuses-janelle-monae-of-plagiarism-for-grammy-performance

2.    Don’t Miss the Big Picture: What Companies Get Wrong When It Comes to IP Strategies: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/02/22/dont-miss-big-picture-companies-get-wrong-comes-ip-strategies/id=106604/

3.    Pirate sites to be blocked in thousands of British schools: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/pirate-sites-to-be-blocked-in-thousands-of-british-schools-17565

4.    Amazon launches Project Zero to fight fakes: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/amazon-launches-project-zero-to-fight-fakes-17582 

5.    Japan Patent Office Case Examples on Artificial Intelligence Offer Guidance for Other Offices on Treating AI Inventions: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/02/28/jpo-examples-on-artificial-intelligence-offer-guidance-for-other-offices/id=106835/

6.    Bolstering your armoury against trade mark squatters in China: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=38c27c82-f28c-4258-982d-ffe728afab8a

7.    Meet The Blockchain Companies Hoping to Disrupt the Publishing Industry: https://blockonomi.com/blockchain-disrupt-publishing-industry/

8.    Biker trademark cannot be part of criminal forfeiture, court rules: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/biker-trademark-cannot-be-part-of-criminal-forfeiture-court-rules-17589 

9.    Industry-led initiative to fight counterfeiting gets new boost: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/industry-led-initiative-fight-counterfeiting-gets-new-boost_en

10.    Musician claims Spike Lee and Prince copied the song for ‘Girl 6’: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/musician-claims-spike-lee-and-prince-copied-the-song-for-girl-6-17586

11.    Fyre Festival attendee takes Netflix to court: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/fyre-festival-attendee-takes-netflix-to-court-17585

12.    Tips for Protecting Cannabis Trademarks: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/02/28/tips-protecting-cannabis-trademarks/id=106829/

13.    Examining the Truvada #BreakThePatent Debate: Gilead Response: https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/03/03/examining-truvada-breakthepatent-debate-gilead-responds/id=106906/ 

14.    Copyright directive a data protection hazard: data commissioner: https://www.worldipreview.com/news/copyright-directive-a-data-protection-hazard-data-commissioner-17590 

1. Facebook found liable for hosting links to unlicensed content:

• http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/02/facebook-found-liable-for-hosting-links.html

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/italian-court-finds-facebook-liable-for-hosting-infringing-content-17548

• The decision issued by the Rome Court of First Instance can be found at (only in Italian): https://sistemaproprietaintellettuale.it/giurisprudenza/procedimenti-giurisdizionali/merito/13969-tribunale-roma-15-02-2019.html

• For an overview of the liability of Facebook for its contents have a look at:

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2017/10/19/467970.htm
 

2. A few thoughts on the non-discriminatory prong of FRAND:

- https://trustinip.com/a-few-thoughts-on-the-non-discriminatory-prong-of-frand/

- A clear article on the ‘Most-favoured-licensee’ rule can be read at:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1645878
 

3. Alleged "Kimoji" Developer is Suing Kim Kardashian for "No Less Than $100 Million"

• http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/alleged-kimoji-developer-is-suing-kim-kardashian-for-no-less-than-100-million

• https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/02/kim-kardashian-kimoji-app-lawsuit

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/02/13/emoji-wars-kim-kardashian-west-sued-million-over-use-iconic-kimojis/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.88f65e8afb36
   

4. Trademark exhaustion and cosmetics in Milan: further analysis and future perspective

• https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/02/22/trademark-exhaustion-and-cosmetics-in-milan/

• https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=35bb93b3-3281-4b80-956b-aacf4afdb06b&utm_source=Lexology+Daily+Newsfeed&utm_medium=HTML+email+-+Body+-+General+section&utm_campaign=Lexology+subscriber+daily+feed&utm_content=Lexology+Daily+Newsfeed+2019-02-15&utm_term=
   

5. Can the name of a country and a year be a trademark?

• http://www.mondaq.com/russianfederation/x/778680/Trademark/Can+The+Name+Of+A+Country+And+A+Year+Be+A+Trade+Mark
   

6. Marry Me, not in the EU: dating app’s appeal rejected by EU Court:

• https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/marry-me-not-in-the-eu/

• https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eu-court-rejects-dating-app-s-appeals-17466?utm_source=World+IP+Review&utm_campaign=dfa199a378-WIPR_Digital_Newsletter_02112018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d76dcadc01-dfa199a378-27263061

• See the Court’s judgment for the word mark: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?docid=210522&text=&dir=&doclang=FR&part=1&occ=first&mode=DOC&pageIndex=0&cid=377443

• See the Court’s judgment for the figurative mark: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=210523&pageIndex=0&doclang=FR&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=12068884
   

7. The EU’s Digital Copyright Directive – where are we now?

• https://www.iptechblog.com/2019/02/the-eus-digital-copyright-directive-where-are-we-now/

• The press release of the European Parliament on the agreement reached on the wording of the Directive can be read at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190212IPR26152/agreement-reached-on-digital-copyright-rules

• https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=113d330c-c638-42ab-a0a0-94023e09c1cf

• https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7e2510c8-866e-438e-ac46-0b1e5ae135c7

• https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2019/02/18/will-the-eus-new-copyright-directive-ruin-the-web/
   

8. The Next Data-Driven Health-tech Revolution

• https://singularityhub.com/2019/02/22/the-next-data-driven-healthtech-revolution/#sm.0000ly25b0oiieawx522j2j1fku4z

• For the use of data to give patients control of their own health and the issues related to their privacy protection: https://singularityhub.com/2018/11/07/using-big-data-to-give-patients-control-of-their-own-health/#sm.0000ly25b0oiieawx522j2j1fku4z

9. The Italian Guardia di Finanza seized more than 1,700 counterfeit memory cards

• https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrate-oltre-1.700-schede-di-memoria-contraffatte.aspx
   

10. More than 1.500.000 counterfeit clothes were seized in Rome, Naples, Brescia and Pescara

• https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrati-oltre-1.500.000-capi-di-abbigliamento.aspx

1. Further thoughts on Levola Hengelo v Smilde Foods and the taste of cheese: did the Court create a "validation" test?
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/02/further-thoughts-on-levola-hengelo-v.html

2. Drinking wine from a Pringles can: parody or trade mark infringement?
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/02/drinking-wine-from-pringles-can-parody.html

3. 'CHIARA FERRAGNI' not confusingly similar to 'CHIARA', rules EU General Court.
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/02/chiara-ferragni-not-confusingly-similar.html

4.Lush Sues Fragrance Subscription Co. Over "Lush Gold" Line
http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/lush-sues-fragrance-subscription-co-over-lush-gold-line

5. Red Sole Diaries: another chapter
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/02/red-sole-diaries-another-chapter.html

6. Blockchain Could Help Put a Halt to the Gray Market, But Do Brands Actually Want That?
http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/blockchain-could-help-put-a-halt-to-the-gray-market-but-do-brands-actually-want-that

7. Thai ‘special investigations’ unit to tackle high-value counterfeits
https://www.worldipreview.com/news/thai-special-investigations-unit-to-tackle-high-value-counterfeits-17506

8. United States of America Joins WIPO’s Marrakesh Treaty as 50th Member
http://www.ag-ip-news.com/news.aspx?id=50839&lang=en

9. Europe-wide initiative to tackle ads on pirate sites launches
https://www.worldipreview.com/news/europe-wide-initiative-to-tackle-ads-on-pirate-sites-launches-17500

10. European Cooperation: Sweden launches new online services for trade marks and designs
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=column1&p_p_col_count=2&journalId=4975075&journalRelatedId=manual/

11. Marry Me – not in the EU
https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/marry-me-not-in-the-eu/

12. Monaco joins TMView
https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/02/11/monaco-joins-tmview/

13. Fashion designer accuses Janelle Monáe of plagiarism for Grammy performance
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/12/fashion-designer-accuses-janelle-monae-of-plagiarism-for-grammy-performance

1.      Christian Louboutin wins bid to protect red sole TM

-      https://www.worldipreview.com/news/christian-louboutin-wins-bid-to-protect-red-sole-trademark-17472;

-      http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/louboutin-lands-victory-in-long-running-dutch-red-sole-shoe-case;

2.      Glen sounds too Scottish

-      https://info.legal-patent.com/trademark-law/glen-sounds-scottish/;

-      For a previous analysis on geographical spirituous beverages designation: https://info.legal-patent.com/international-intellectual-property/geographical-word-mark-swabian-glen-whisky-anyone-thinking-scotland/;

3.      Two recent decisions on selective distribution and infringement of luxury trademarks from the Court of Milan

-      https://iplens.org/2019/02/06/two-recent-decisions-on-selective-distribution-and-infringement-of-luxury-trademarks-from-the-court-of-milan/

-      For the full decision in the l’Oreal case, see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/d0a35sgnmq4gwmx/milano19112018%20pdf.pdf?dl=0;

-      For the full decision in the Landoll case, see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewxqvbd73hdsuu6/milano18122018%20pdf.pdf?dl=0;

4.      Apple lost a lawsuit against Pear in the EU

-      https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/apple-lost-a-lawsuit-against-pear-in-the-eu/;

-      For the General Court’s full decision (available in English and French): http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=Pear%2BTechnologies%2BLtd&docid=210325&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=9699291#ctx1

5.      After Receiving Infringement Letters Over 4-Stripe Sneaker, Skechers is Suing adidas

-      http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/skechers-is-suing-adidas;

6.      Austrian Patent Office implements e-filing for trademarks:

-      https://euipo.europa.eu/tunnel-web/secure/webdav/guest/document_library/contentPdfs/about_euipo/alicante_news/alicantenews_January_2019_en.pdf (page. 4 of the EUIPN Updates, January 2019);

7.      Musicians file class action copyright suit against Sony Music

-      https://www.worldipreview.com/news/musicians-file-class-action-copyright-suit-against-sony-music-17470

8.      U.S. State Wants to Adopt "Netflix" Model for Paying for Pharmaceuticals

-      http://www.ip.finance/2019/01/us-state-wants-to-adopt-netflix-model.html;

-      https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?destination=%2fhealth%2f2019%2f01%2f10%2flouisiana-adopts-netflix-model-pay-hepatitis-c-drugs%2f%3fnoredirect%3don%26utm_term%3d.7a46df7cbdd3&noredirect=on&utm_term=.8c8ea29f5869;

-      https://www.ipimediaworld.com/louisiana-launching-netflix-model-medicaid-hep-c-drugs/;

9.      Beware of using photographs of Italian (cultural) beauties!

-      https://iplens.org/2019/02/07/beware-of-using-photographs-of-italian-cultural-beauties/;

-      For the Italian Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape (Legislative Decree n. 42/2004), see: https://wipolex.wipo.int/en/legislation/details/2491;

10.   Domain infringement biggest problem for TM owners

-      https://www.intellectualpropertymagazine.com/trademark/domain-infringement-biggest-problem-for-tm-owners-133563.htm;

11.   The Italian Guardia di FInanza seized more than 15,000 luxury products in Pisa.

-      https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrati-oltre-15.000-prodotti-contraffatti.aspx.

1.      The German press publishers’ right before the CJEU – will it survive? The AG’s opinion in VG Media/Google (C‑299/17) and some background from Germany

- http://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/21/the-german-press-publishers-right-before-the-cjeu-will-it-survive-the-ags-opinion-in-vg-mediagoogle-c%E2%80%9129917-and-some-background-from-germany/

- The English translation of the German Act on Copyright and Related Rights (UrhG) is available at: http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_urhg/englisch_urhg.html#p0659

- While the Opinion of the Advocate General can be found at: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf;jsessionid=970DCF131004BF78F22250F0894A02A4?text=&docid=208982&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=1703696

- Further analysis of the Opinion are available at: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/12/ag-hogan-advises-cjeu-to-rule-that.html

2.      Unwaivable equitable remuneration rights for performers: disruption or balancing of interests?

- http://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/20/unwaivable-equitable-remuneration-rights-for-performers-disruption-or-balancing-of-interests/

- The full article “‘We want Artists to be Fully and Fairly Paid for their Work’: Discourses on Fairness in the Neoliberal European Copyright Reform” can be found at: https://www.jipitec.eu/issues/jipitec-9-2-2018/4731

- The Study of the European Parliament on the balance of interests of Publishers, Authors and Performers can be examined here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/596810/IPOL_STU(2017)596810_EN.pdf

3.      The transpositions of the Trademark Directive are ongoing in:

- Poland: http://trademarkblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/18/poland-eu-trademark-directive-transposition-almost-done/

- Greece: http://trademarkblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/14/greece-new-trademark-law-draft-open-for-public-consultation/

- Austria: http://trademarkblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/14/implementation-of-the-trademarks-directive-in-austria-noteworthy-amendments-and-other-novelties-of-interest/

- Lithuania: https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/lithuania-introduced-some-important-changes-in-its-trademark-legislation/

- Czech Republic: https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/important-amendments-in-the-czech-trademark-law-came-into-force/

- The full text of the Directive can be found at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32015L2436

4.      Is Article 8(3) EUTMR applicable only to identical marks?

- http://trademarkblog.kluweriplaw.com/2019/01/10/is-article-83-eutmr-applicable-only-to-identical-marks-the-general-court-pitches-in-but-it-is-not-the-last-word-yet/

- hereby the full text of the General Court Judgment: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document_print.jsf?docid=206789&text=&dir=&doclang=EN&part=1&occ=first&mode=lst&pageIndex=0&cid=10192471

5.      CHEESE for (cannabis) seeds not a valid trade mark, says EUIPO First Board of Appeal

- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/01/cheese-for-cannabis-seeds-not-valid.html

- The interesting decision of the EUIPO First Board of Appeal:

https://oami.europa.eu/copla/trademark/data/013924139/download/CLW/APL/2018/EN/20181025_R2333_2017-1.pdf?app=caselaw&casenum=R2333/2017-1&trTypeDoc=NA

6.      Fresh updates on the Fortnite lawsuits

- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-fortnite-lawsuits-why-performers.html

- https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/23/18194912/blocboy-jb-fortnite-sues-epic-games-shoot-dance-emote-backpack-kid-2-milly

- https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/arts/fortnite-floss-dance-lawsuits.html

- https://www.worldipreview.com/news/us-rapper-sues-fortnite-creator-over-dance-move-17412

- The lawsuits filed against Epic Games before the District Court of California are available at: http://patentarcade.com/tag/ribeiro-v-epic-games-inc

7.      PMI obtains a pan-EU interim injunction against an IQOS copycat

- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/01/mr-justice-nugee-grants-philip-morris.html

- https://www.designwrites.law/pmi-obtains-a-pan-eu-interim-injunction-against-an-iqos-copycat/

- https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c287b531-fad0-44d7-8854-f79e3ad5425d

8.      The World’s Top 10 Science and Technology Hotspots

- https://www.wipo.int/econ_stat/en/economics/news/2019/news_0001.html

- https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/17/18187026/google-fossil-group-smartwatch-sale-40-million-wear-os-android

- https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/17/google-to-buy-fossil-smartwatch-tech-for-40-million.html

9.      Google buys Fossil Group’s smartwatch technology for $40m

- https://www.worldipreview.com/news/google-buys-fossil-group-s-smartwatch-technology-for-40m-17386

10.  The Rise of a New Generation of AI Avatars

- https://singularityhub.com/2019/01/15/the-rise-of-a-new-generation-of-ai-avatars/#sm.001m5w6zj1b5gfmqy7b10pma2apmp

11.  The Italian Guardia di Finanza implemented a raid action against manufacturers of counterfeit “Hogan” shoes

-  https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Scoperti-4-laboratori-e-3-depositi-di-scarpe-%E2%80%9CHogan%E2%80%9D-taroccate.aspx

12.  The operation “PIRATI” is at a tapping point

- https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/-Operazione-PIRATI.aspx

1.    “Let Me Be Frank”: Kevin Spacey gambles with infringement

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/01/let-me-be-frank-kevin-spacey-gambles.html EU

2.    Netflix facing trademark suit over interactive ‘Black Mirror’ episode

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/netflix-facing-trademark-suit-over-interactive-black-mirror-episode-17237

3.    Donald Trump, Wedding Crasher, Becomes Copyright Infringement Case

-         https://www.intellectualpropertynews.com/copyright-news/donald-trump-wedding-crasher-becomes-copyright-infringement-case/

3.1 Media Companies Can’t Just Steal Your Social Media Photos: Judge

-         https://petapixel.com/2018/12/12/media-companies-cant-just-steal-your-social-media-photos-judge/

4.    McDonald's loses Big Mac trademark after legal battle with Irish chain

-         https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/15/mcdonalds-loses-big-mac-trademark-legal-battle-supermacs

5.    INTA Brief to WTO Revives Plain Packaging Debate

-         https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2019/01/17/inta-brief-revives-plain-packaging-debate/id=105196/

6.    Cannabis and Trademarks in Canada: Yes it’s here

-         https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=8f450367-5863-4898-9c66-eb82480402b1&pnum=10

6.1 As cannabis patent filings increase, are food and beverage companies positioned to benefit?

-         https://www.ipwatchdog.com/2018/11/09/cannabis-patent-filings-increase/id=102898/

7.    Rihanna sues father over use of Fenty brand name

-         https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jan/16/rihanna-sues-father-over-use-of-fenty-brand-name

8.    EU investigating Nike over IP licensing and tax structure

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eu-investigating-nike-over-ip-licensing-and-tax-structure-17230

9.    Stan Lee: Writer, Creator, And Marketer Of Intellectual Property

-         http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/12/11/stan-lee-writer-creator-marketer-intellectual-property/

10. INTA Adopts Guidelines for Examination of Industrial Designs

-         http://www.ag-ip-news.com/news.aspx?id=50815&lang=en

11. Time to put a stop to the abuse of orphan drug regulation- the latest scandal

-         https://medicineslawandpolicy.org/2019/01/time-to-put-a-stop-to-the-abuse-of-orphan-drug-regulation-the-latest-scandal/

12. Oakley accuses safety glasses maker of design patent infringement

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/oakley-accuses-safety-glasses-maker-of-design-patent-infringement-17286

13. Deadline due for implementing EU trademark reforms

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/deadline-due-for-implementing-eu-trademark-reforms-17238

13.1.DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/2436 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2015 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks

-         https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015L2436&rid=5

14. EU court dismisses TM appeal based on missed deadline

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eu-court-dismisses-tm-appeal-based-on-missed-deadline-17287

1.      Blockchain: a strategy for the protection of Made in Italy products

-         http://www.ipsoa.it/documents/impresa/contratti-dimpresa/quotidiano/2019/01/07/blockchain-strategy-for-the-protection-of-made-italy-products.

2.      New Proactiv Ambassador Kendall Jenner Might Not Use the Company's Products. Legally, That Matters

-         http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/does-it-matter-if-new-proactiv-ambassador-kendall-jenner-doesnt-use-the-products.

3.      Beats secures trade mark victory with EUIPO Fourth Board of Appeal

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/12/beats-secures-trade-mark-victory-with_30.html;

-         https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/beats-electronics-won-a-trademark-case-in-the-eu/.

4.      UK Wagamama wins trademark dispute

-         https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/01/11/the-uk-wagamama-won-a-trademark-despite/;

-         https://www.lawdit.co.uk/reading-room/wagamama-wins-Wakayama-trade-mark-dispute.

5.      Costco Must Pay Tiffany & Co. $25 Million for Using its Name to Sell Diamond Rings

-         http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/costco-has-to-pay-tiffany-amp-co-25-million-for-using-its-name-to-sell-diamond-rings;

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/costco-loses-bid-to-reverse-19m-win-for-tiffany-co-17217;

-         https://trademarklawyermagazine.com/costco-to-pay-tiffany-co-25-million-for-infringement-of-rings/.

6.      Storage of goods and copyright infringement – a European Court’s decision

-          https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/storage-of-goods-and-copyright-infringement-a-european-courts-decision/;

-         For the full judgment of the Court, 19 December 2018: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=209343&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=3047019.

7.      Coffee Company Slapped With a $2.8 Million Fine for Infringing Bob Marley Trademarks

-         https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/01/10/ninth-circuit-jammin-java-v-hope-road/;

-         https://www.courthousenews.com/9th-circuit-panel-rules-coffee-company-infringed-bob-marley-trademark/.

8.      Extracts from TMView can be used in EUIPO proceedings

-         https://intellectualpropertyplanet.wordpress.com/2019/01/04/extracts-from-tmview-can-be-used-in-euipo-proceedings/;

-         https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/it/news/-/action/view/4872597.

9.      Securing the Internet of Things

-         https://www.iptechblog.com/2018/12/securing-the-internet-of-things/.

10.  Sharp rise in patent applications for self-driving vehicles in Europe, new study finds

-         https://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2018/20181106.html;

-         for the full study: http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponet.nsf/0/65910DF6D3F02057C125833C004DB1E6/$File/self_driving_vehicles_study_en.pdf;

-         for the study’s key findings: http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponet.nsf/0/65910DF6D3F02057C125833C004DB1E6/$File/self_driving_vehicles_study_key_findings_en.pdf.

11.  The Italian Guardia di Finanza carries out the “Made in Facebook” operation in Crotone

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Operazione-MADE-IN-FACEBOOK.aspx.

1.      Let’s Get It On...Trial - Another Copyright Infringement Case for Ed Sheeran

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2019/01/lets-get-it-ontrial-another-copyright.html

-         https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/01/04/ed-sheeran-v-marvin-gaye-jury-trial/

-         https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46754883

2.      3D printing and IP law: current challenges and future perspectives

-         https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2017/01/article_0006.html

-         https://3dprint.com/232377/3d-printing-and-gaps-in-ip-law/

-         https://all3dp.com/2/copyrighting-3d-models-how-can-i-protect-my-3d-printing-designs/

-         For an analysis of the impact on mass manufactory check out: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/daveni-book-new-manufacturing-titans/

3.      Innovating for the whole world: IP’s role in development

-         https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2018/06/article_0003.html

4.      Trademark Industry Trends to Watch in 2019

-         https://www.trademarknow.com/blog/8-trademark-industry-trends-to-watch-in-2019

5.      BIC files infringement complaints for pocket lighters

-         https://trademarklawyermagazine.com/bic-files-infringement-complaints-for-pocket-lighters/

-         http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2018/12/20/bic-files-complaints-alleging-trademark-infringement-pocket-lighters/id=104139/

6.      Vans suing retailer Primark for “Intentional copies” of its trainers

-         https://trademarklawyermagazine.com/vans-suing-british-retailer-primark-for-inentional-copies-of-its-trainers/

-         https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/01/primark-set-defend-vans-lawsuit/

-         https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/primark-facing-us-lawsuit-over-knock-off-vans-skater-shoes-1.3746329

-         https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/a25722026/vans-suing-primark-copies-trainers

7.      Chinese Regime Establishes Supreme Court Body to Resolve Intellectual Property Disputes

-         https://www.theepochtimes.com/chinese-regime-establishes-supreme-court-body-to-resolve-intellectual-property-disputes_2756391.html

-         https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2179983/china-launches-appeal-court-intellectual-property-right

-         https://phys.org/news/2018-12-china-court-intellectual-property-appeals.html

-         https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-ipr/chinas-supreme-court-to-take-on-intellectual-property-cases-idUSKCN1OS0C5

8.      Legalizing Graffiti: Chilean Chamber of Deputies says YES!

-         http://iptango.blogspot.com/2018/10/legalizing-graffiti-chilean-chamber-of.html

9.      Hakuna Matata - can companies really trademark a phrase like that?

-         https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/hakuna-matata-can-companies-really-trademark-a-phrase-like-that/articleshow/67200230.cms

-         https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-46605515

-         https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/world/africa/hakuna-matata-disney-trademark.html

10.  For the First Time in 21 Years, Copyrighted Works Enter the Public Domain: ‘The drought is over’

-         https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/for-first-time-in-21-years-copyrighted-works-enter-public-domain/

-         https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/31/18162933/public-domain-day-2019-the-pilgrim-jacobs-room-charleston-copyright-expiration

-         https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-public-domain-additions-2019-20190103-story.html

11.  Japan protects artists with new 70 year Copyright laws

-         http://routenote.com/blog/japan-protects-artists-with-new-70-year-copyright-laws/

-         https://www.bananaip.com/ip-news-center/weekly-copyright-news-draft-intermediary-rules-japan-extends-copyright-protection-ubon-collaborates-with-yoyo-honey-singh-and-more/

-         https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/01/01/japan-extends-copyright-protection/

-         https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8491759/japan-law-extending-copyright-protection-period

12.  A massive amount of counterfeit fireworks has been seized by the Italian Guardia di Finanza:

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Individuati-ulteriori-due-quintali-di-fuochi-artificio.aspx

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/La-Finanza-sequestra-tre-quintali-di-botti-di-capodanno.aspx

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrati-7-5-quintali-di-botti-illegali.aspx

Un uso consapevole dei social media non può prescindere dal tenere in considerazione la possibilità – peraltro piuttosto frequente – di pregiudicare gli altrui diritti d’autore e di proprietà intellettuale. Tale invito è rivolto tanto al pubblico medio degli utilizzatori delle varie piattaforme digitali che tutti conosciamo quanto, a maggior ragione, a quella più ristretta cerchia di soggetti (i c.d. influencers) che, costruendosi un’immagine ed una reputazione tra il pubblico dei social, sono in grado di sfruttare la notorietà da loro acquisita a fini commerciali e, in tal modo, creare una vera e propria realtà imprenditoriale.

Esaminiamo dunque, in questo breve articolo, gli strumenti giuridici a tutela degli influencers nonché i problemi in cui gli stessi, trovandosi spesso ad usare inconsapevolmente i social media, possono incorrere, con particolare riferimento alla violazione degli altrui diritti su marchi registrati.

Come è noto, la professione di influencer consiste essenzialmente nella creazione di contenuti digitali online, siano essi foto, post, stories o video, attraverso i quali prodotti e servizi di un determinato brand vengono sponsorizzati e pubblicizzati, “indirizzando” le preferenze di un numero considerevole di utenti, che, da semplici followers, diventano potenziali consumatori. L’immagine e la popolarità dell’influencer, insieme al contenuto digitale riconducibile allo stesso influencer, contribuiscono così a diffondere e rafforzare il marchio altrui, anche attraverso processi di product placement.

Ciò avviene, molto spesso, sulla base di un rapporto di natura contrattuale tra impresa e influencer (ad es. contratti di sponsorizzazione). Sarà, quindi, necessario prestare particolare attenzione all’oggetto di tale contratto, soprattutto al fine di individuare i limiti entro i quali la titolarità dei diritti sui contenuti commissionati dal brand sia da attribuirsi al “creatore” ovvero al committente del contenuto. Infatti, qualora non si sia stipulato un apposito accordo che regoli e disciplini la detta titolarità, risulterà applicabile la disciplina del diritto d’autore, in base alla quale l’ideatore dell’opera (di qualsiasi natura si tratti) può vantare diritti di utilizzazione esclusiva sin dal momento in cui l’opera stessa è stata creata.

Foto e video creati dal digital content creator (DCC), in quanto “sequenze di immagini in movimento” e “foto semplici” ai sensi degli artt. 78 ter e 87 Legge n. 633/1941 (c.d. Legge sul Diritto d’Autore) sono, senza dubbio, da considerarsi coperte dalla disciplina del copyright.

Quanto sopra è stato ribadito, anche recentemente, dalla giurisprudenza di merito, la quale ha affermato che il contenuto digitale creato dall’utente di un social network è tutelato dal diritto d’autore; con la conseguenza che esso non può essere arbitrariamente utilizzato, condiviso, modificato o distribuito senza che l’autore abbia dato una preventiva autorizzazione o senza che vi sia una esplicita attribuzione di paternità.

Appare, dunque, quanto mai chiaro perché la predisposizione di specifiche clausole in materia di proprietà intellettuale si renda necessaria per delineare concretamente i diritti di sfruttamento economico dei contenuti creati dall’influencer.

L’influencer, tuttavia, oltre a essere titolare di diritti d’autore sul contenuto di sua creazione – diritti che nascono nel momento stesso in cui è stato prodotto tale contenuto, senza necessità di adempimento alcuno  – può avere, altresì, interesse ad acquisire anche la titolarità di diritti per la cui costituzione si rendono invece necessari, al contrario di quanto accade per quelli menzionati precedentemente, ulteriori adempimenti attivi: è il caso, ad esempio, dei diritti di privativa su marchi e nomi a dominio.

Posto che l’influencer, al pari di qualsiasi brand, diviene riconoscibile ai suoi followers, agli utenti dei social network e ai brand attraverso i propri segni distintivi (i.e. nome o pseudonimo), appare strategicamente conveniente registrare il proprio nome o pseudonimo come marchio presso gli Uffici competenti.

La registrazione del proprio nome, infatti, non solo rappresenta un investimento e un vantaggio competitivo irrinunciabile, ma conferisce anche al titolare del segno diritti esclusivi di utilizzo, dando la possibilità di avviare azioni difensive rapide ed economiche avverso chiunque tenti di registrare marchi identici e/o confondibilmente simili ai propri direttamente avanti agli Uffici Marchi competenti (si pensi, ad esempio, alle procedure di opposizione).

Contestualmente alla registrazione del proprio marchio è, poi, opportuno procedere anche alla registrazione del corrispondente nome a dominio nei registri di interesse. Così come il marchio, infatti, anche il nome a dominio rappresenta un punto di riferimento per gli utenti del web.

Avendo, seppur brevemente, accennato agli strumenti giuridici atti a tutelare l’influencer, possiamo adesso passare ad analizzare quali siano, tra le condotte poste in essere dagli influencer, quelle che più frequentemente violano i diritti di proprietà intellettuale altrui.

Senza dubbio, sul punto viene in mente – in primo luogo – l’ipotesi in cui l’influencer pubblicizzi determinati prodotti tramite una fotografia nella quale compaiano, in piena evidenza, anche marchi ulteriori rispetto a quelli oggetto di sponsorizzazione (ossia quelli oggetto di un contratto tra il titolare del marchio sponsorizzato e l’influencer). In una simile evenienza, tenendo a mente che i prodotti da sponsorizzare sono pubblicizzati mediante il loro inserimento in contesti di normale vita quotidiana, ci si rende conto di come la possibilità che si verifichi un rischio di confusione, per il pubblico dei consumatori e per i “seguaci” virtuali dell’influencer, relativamente alla provenienza di determinati beni o servizi assuma una preoccupante concretezza; con la conseguenza, quindi, di poter qualificare come illecito, ex art. 20 del codice della proprietà industriale, un tale uso di segni o marchi fatto, appunto, senza il preventivo consenso del soggetto che ne abbia la titolarità.

In secondo luogo, un’ulteriore ipotesi in cui l’attività degli influencer sui social media può interferire con i diritti di privativa altrui è rappresentata dall’uso – non autorizzato – dei c.d. hashtag, ossia di quelle parole chiave aventi la funzione di attirare la visualizzazione da parte del pubblico dei contenuti sui quali tali hashtag vengano apposti, canalizzando l’attenzione dello stesso pubblico grazie ad un determinato trend topic. A tal proposito bisogna tenere a mente che, ai sensi dell’art. 7 del codice della proprietà industriale, possono costituire oggetto di protezione come marchio registrato “tutti i segni suscettibili di essere rappresentati graficamente […] compresi i nomi di persone, i disegni, le lettere, le cifre…”; ciò porta con sé la conseguenza che, nel caso in cui oggetto di protezione sia una determinata parola, lettera o combinazione di queste, l’uso delle stesse precedute dall’hashtag e nel contesto di un messaggio di natura pubblicitaria potrà costituire violazione dei diritti del titolare del marchio registrato rivendicante protezione sul segno (ossia sulla parola, lettera o combinazione di queste) illecitamente riprodotto come hashtag.

È, infine, necessario evidenziare che uno degli ulteriori rischi cui l’influencer può andare incontro è quello di porre in essere forme di pubblicità occulta. A tal proposito l’Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato si è pronunciata una prima volta nel 2017, invitando gli operatori coinvolti a vario titolo nel fenomeno dell’influencer marketing a conformarsi alle disposizioni del Codice del Consumo, nonché fornendo indicazioni circa la natura pubblicitaria di un contenuto realizzato in esecuzione di un accordo commerciale. Successivamente, nel 2018, la stessa Autorità è intervenuta con una seconda moral suasion, richiamando anche gli influencer con un numero meno elevato di followers, i quali sono anch’essi, comunque, tenuti a rendere riconoscibile l’intento promozionale dei contenuti diffusi tramite social media (inserendo apposite avvertenze come #pubblicità, #sponsorizzato, #advertising, #inserzioneapagamento).

Anche nell’ambito dell’attività di influencer, vale, quindi, senz’altro la pena rivolgersi ad uno studio legale qualificato per difendere i propri diritti di proprietà intellettuale, sia mediante la redazione di contratti ad hoc sia mediante il deposito di una o più domande di marchio avanti agli Uffici competenti.

1.      Cloud Service Providers and the active role in communicating online digital contents

-         https://iplens.org/

2.      May #hashtags safely rely on trademark protection?

-         https://indianceo.in/business/social-media-marketing-can-trademark-hashtag/

-         https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=085cde98-c26a-44aa-90a7-97280d27265e

-         https://www.socialmedialawbulletin.com/2016/07/can-you-trademark-a-hashtag/

-         https://iplens.org/2017/11/30/legal-protection-to-hashtags/

-         http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/751984/Trademark/Hashmarks+Can+a+Hashtag+be+a+Trademark

3.      I know what I like and I know when I taste it. Cheese flavour cannot be “copyrighted” (nor registered as a trademark)

-         http://trademarkblog.kluweriplaw.com/2018/12/10/i-know-what-i-like-and-i-know-when-i-taste-it-cheese-flavour-cannot-be-copyrighted-nor-registered-as-a-trademark/

-         http://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2018/12/05/hommage-au-fromage-or-how-the-cjeu-said-farewell-to-heksnkaas-by-excluding-copyright-protection-for-works-of-taste/

For a review of the AG Opinion take a look at: http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-ag-opinion-in-levola-hengelo-more.html

4.      EU court reverses Heineken trademark decision

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eu-court-reverses-heineken-trademark-decision-17119

5.      Levi Strauss Fights for Trademark on Pocket TabSamsung convinces EUIPO to invalidate ‘smart’ TM

-         https://www.intellectualpropertynews.com/

-         https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellefabio/2018/11/20/levi-strauss-sues-yves-saint-laurent-over-trademarked-pocket-tab/

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/levi-strauss-accuses-ysl-of-trademark-infringement-16994

-         https://www.apparelnews.net/news/2018/nov/21/levis-sues-yves-saint-laurent-america-trademark-in/

6.      Trademarks: the limits to a MONSTER’s reach in Singapore

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/12/trade-marks-limits-to-monsters-reach-in.html

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/12/trade-marks-limits-to-monsters-reach-in.html

7.      Whole visible surface or predominant colour? Cadbury's plays spot the series mark

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/12/whole-visible-surface-or-predominant.html

-         https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2018/12/07/UK-Court-of-Appeal-rules-against-Cadbury-in-color-purple-trademark-dispute

-         https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/12/05/cadbury-purple-trademark-battle-isnt-over-yet

-         https://www.chinalawblog.com/2018/12/china-trademarks-the-color-of-money.html

8.      Building a Long Term Brand Protection solution - the Lego story [Part 3]

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/12/building-long-term-brand-protection.html

On the “Lego saga”, check out the case “Best-Lock”:

-         http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=165051&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=407012

And its related comments:

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2015/06/lego-3d-manikin-mark-valid-says-general.html

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2009/07/bad-news-for-lego-in-germany.html

9.       Are Trademark Licensees Protected in A Licensor Bankruptcy?

-         https://www.iptechblog.com/2018/12/are-trademark-licensees-protected-in-a-licensor-bankruptcy/

10.  Ex Machina, Ex Auctore? Machines that create and how EU copyright law views them

-         http://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2018/11/12/ex-machina-ex-auctore-machines-that-create-and-how-eu-copyright-law-views-them/

-         https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=d1833743-90ae-47f7-98a1-82d76c3338a1

11.  More than one milion of counterfeit contact lens have been seized by the Italian Guardia di Finanza

-        https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrato-oltre-1.000.000-di-lenti-a-contatto.aspx

12.  Around 5 quintals of fireworks have been found in a deposit close to Naples

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Avellino.-Sequestrati.aspxv

1.      Marrakesh Treaty is no paper tiger: EU Commission sues 17 countries for non-compliance

-         http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2018/11/marrakesh-treaty-is-no-paper-tiger-eu.html

-         https://www.worldipreview.com/news/eu-commission-targets-17-states-over-marrakesh-treaty-non-compliance-17062

-         The summary of the Marrakesh Treaty can be found here: https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/marrakesh/summary_marrakesh.html

-         For a general overview of the topic please visit: http://infojustice.org/archives/40626

2.      UK intellectual property minister quits over Brexit deal

-         http://www.ippropatents.com/ippropatentsnews/article.php?article_id=6202

-         http://www.ipprotheinternet.com/

3.      Digital platforms will be challenged by article 13 of EU Copyright Directive

-         http://themoorlander.co.uk/article-13-the-death-of-the-internet/

-         http://www.ipprotheinternet.com/ipprotheinternetnews/article.php?article_id=6342

-         https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/youtube-fact-free-fear-mongering-slammed-european-music-1203034859/

4.      INTA launches brand new IP podcast

-         http://www.ippromagazine.com/ippromagazinenews/article.php?article_id=6263

-         https://www.prweb.com/releases/international_trademark_association_unveils_unique_podcast_focusing_on_innovation_and_intellectual_property/prweb15931699.htm

5.      James Pooley words on how “stupidity” may lead to serious leak of confidential information

-         http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2018/12/02/role-stupidity-trade-secrets/id=103461/

6.      Counterfeit trade via Instagram, current cases and the state of art

-         http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/is-instagram-doing-enough-to-rid-its-sponsored-posts-of-counterfeit-goods

-         https://www.securingindustry.com/clothing-and-accessories/designer-names-and-shames-counterfeit-buyers/s107/a8773/#.XARQnGhKhPY

-         https://montreal.eater.com/2018/11/6/18066108/marc-jacobs-ava-nirui-collaboration-st-viateur-bagel-montreal-logo

7.       A general overview on the EU link tax proposal, pros and cons

-         https://creativecommons.org/2018/11/07/eus-proposed-link-tax-would-still-harm-creative-commons-licensors/

-         https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/nov/18/google-news-may-shut-over-eu-plans-to-charge-tax-for-links

-         https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/google-could-shutter-news-operations-in-eu-over-link-tax-what-to-know

-         https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/proposed-link-tax-may-see-google-news-close-in-eu

-         https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2018/11/google-may-shutter-google-news-in-eu-over-link-tax-laws.html

-         France races to save EU digital tax proposal

-         https://www.forbes.com/sites/anagarciavaldivia/2018/11/23/is-the-internet-under-threat-interview-with-saveyourinternet-member-on-eus-copyright-directive/#6d4183f6219a

8.      Italy moves the unitary patent a step closer

-          https://hsfnotes.com/ip/

-         https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=31e9651b-2b03-4586-823a-ae8d0713e702

-         For a clear overview on the topic: https://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2015/20150910.html

9.      Fight Over Amazon: ACTO Countries Cancel Meeting with ICANN CEO

-         http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/11/29/fight-amazon-acto-countries-cancel-meeting-icann-ceo/

10.  The Italian Guardia di Finanza intercepted more than 400 football counterfeit t-shirts

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Sequestrate-oltre-400-magliette-dei-pi%C3%B9-importanti-calciatori.aspx

11.  The latest update from the counterfeit operation PRINT STOP

-         https://siac.gdf.it/notizie/Pagine/Operazopne-PRINT-STOP.aspx