Tagged: EU

In Europe, There is No “Free Parking” for Re-Filers

In the much-anticipated Hasbro Inc. v. EUIPO (T-663/19) decision, the General Court of the European Union announced a new approach to evaluating bad faith in trademark filings and signaled a more aggressive stance toward the practice of “evergreening.” The dispute centered on Hasbro’s registered EU…

Could the EU Unified Patent Court Start Working in December 2017?

The Preparatory Committee charged with the implementation of the Unified Patent Court (“UPC”) announced on 16 January 2017 that it anticipates that the UPC agreement would come into force in December 2017, at which point it is assumed the court will open for business. The…

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…