Category: Trademarks

Sound Marks in China

A sound mark can be registered in China since May 1, 2014. According to a draft Standard of Examination issued by the Chinese Trademark Office, a sound mark can consist of a musical or non-musical sound, or a combination of both.  Non-musical sound includes natural…

Rubik’s Cube Shape Mark Falls on Functionality in the EU

A trademark registration for the shape of a product (usually in the form of a drawing or 3D illustration) can be useful, particularly where the product is recognised predominantly by its distinctive visual appearance. However, if that shape or appearance is also essential for achieving…

LVL XIII and Louis Vuitton Go Toe-To-Toe Over Toe Plates

In a previous post, we discussed Louis Vuitton’s unsuccessful lawsuit against My Other Bag, Inc., in which the “parody defense” was a key issue. Louis Vuitton is making trademark law news again – this time as a defendant/counterclaim plaintiff in a trademark infringement suit in…