The IPKat BLOG – Page 5

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Tuesday Tiddlywinks

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/05/tuesday-tiddlywinks.html The IPKat is back with the weekly post of miscellany news and opportunities. As always, do not forget to regularly check our page of forthcoming events. Here’s what we report this time:Events and calls for papersOnline Information Session: International Games and Esports Tribunal Tomorrow, the Esports Integrity Commission and the... Continue reading
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An imaginative sign for smart houses qualifies for EU trade mark registration

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/05/an-imaginative-sign-for-smart-houses.html On 23 April, the Second Board of Appeal (BoA) of the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) allowed a figurative sign, which Open Home Foundation (applicant) had sought to register. The EUIPO Examiner had initially refused to register the sign under Article 7(1)(b) of the EU Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR)... Continue reading
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What is a hoodless hoodie? At least not registerable as a trade mark

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/05/what-is-hoodless-hoodie-at-least-not.html In a series of decisions, the General Court recently confirmed the rejection of several trade mark applications from Skechers concerning the slogans JUST SLIP IN, JUST STEP IN, STEP IN AND GO, GO HANDS FREE and HANDS FREE FIT, all for footwear. The most notable of these decisions concerns... Continue reading
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UKIPO applies SkyKick in Unite the Union opposition

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/05/ukipo-applies-skykick-in-unite-union.html One of the topics for discussion at last month’s Retromark conference was the end of the Skykick saga and the implication on trade mark filing practice [IPKat write ups here and here]. One of the audience polls at the sessions was the question, “Will SkyKick lead to a reduction... Continue reading
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Never Too Late: If you missed the IPKat last week!

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/05/never-too-late-if-you-missed-ipkat-last.html IP Insights You Might Have Missed!Get cozy with some IPKat posts CopyrightAlessandro Cerri updated readers on the postponement of the Reuters v Ross trial.Geographical IndicationsAnastasiia Kyrylenko discussed the use of Geographical Indications as ingredients and the concept of “aftertaste” protection.PatentsRose Hughes reported on the EPO’s stance against back-pedaling Content reproduced from The IPKat as... Continue reading
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On the use of GIs as ingredients: the aftertaste of Champagner Sorbet

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/04/on-use-of-gis-as-ingredients-aftertaste.html While The IPKat has extensively covered the recent reform of EU geographical indications (GI) law [see here and here], one element deserves further attention: Art. 27 of the Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 concerning the use of GIs for wines and agricultural products as ingredients in processed products.According to Art. 27,... Continue reading
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EUIPO rules in favour of Mercedes-Benz in radiator grille EUTM appeal (R 2316/2024-1)

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/04/euipo-rules-in-favour-of-mercedes-benz.html A recent decision of the First Board of Appeal (the Board) of the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) found that a sign depicting a radiator grille was sufficiently distinctive to be registered as a trade mark in the EU. BackgroundIn 2023, Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes), the well known car manufacturer, applied (the... Continue reading
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The plausibility of diagnostic inventions: No data, no patent (T 0589/22)

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-plausibility-of-diagnostic.html In T 0589/22, the Board of Appeal revoked a patent for an in vitro diagnostic method on the basis that the claimed diagnostic effect was not rendered plausible. According to the Board of Appeal’s interpretation of the claims, none of the examples in the patent related to the population... Continue reading
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[Guest Post] Appeals from the IPEC – costs, fairness and submarines

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/04/guest-post-appeals-from-ipec-costs.html Following on from Oliver Fairhurst’s recent post on the Makeality v City Doggo appeal, the IPKat has received and is pleased to share some thoughts from Andrew Lomas (Barrister, One Essex Court) on the recent spate of appeals from the IPEC.By Andrew Lomas, One Essex CourtIn a post-script to... Continue reading
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Sunday Surprises

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2025/04/sunday-surprises_27.html If the World IP Day celebrations have inspired you to attend more IP events, join this Kat in marking her diary with upcoming events and staying up to date with the latest IP news!A Kat celebrating the World IP Day!