You have trade marks in various countries of the European Union in your brand portfolio. And you would like to maintain the protection of these trade marks at low cost? A ruling of the European Union Court of Justice now provides the basis for all these options.
The patent of your product has expired. And the trade mark that protected its shape has been cancelled. But don’t give up. You may still be able to claim protection against counterfeiting.
Coca-Cola wanted to extend the protection of its well-known beverage bottle, protected as an EU trade mark, and applied for a simpler bottle shape. Can a three-dimensional shape be registered as an EU trade mark even if it has a common design?
Have you registered the shape of a technically sophisticated product, such as the Rubik’s Cube, as a trade mark? Then check again whether the trade mark is really protectable.
The ÖKO-TEST seal [ECO-TEST] is protected as an individual trade mark. One manufacturer used the seal without such a licence. The protection of individual trade marks has its limitations when it comes to test seals.
A variation of the famous protected Coca-Cola bottle was registered as a three-dimensional trade mark. Why was it possible for this shape of product be protected as a trade mark?
Do not jeopardise your brand by using it incorrectly on the packaging.
Is the import of counterfeit Hugo Boss shirts from Turkey still illegal if the Hugo Boss trade mark is camouflaged by a label bearing the name Mio Calvino on importation?
You’ve spotted a new sales opportunity for your company. However, in Germany trade mark rights pose an obstacle and so you approach your lawyer for advice on your intended solution. Does this course of action relieve you of your legal obligations, meaning that you can avoid prosecution for trade mark infringement? It is not that simple.
You might consider placing Google Ads for your Internet shop. But a project such as this needs to be thought through carefully.