Knowledge Hub

As the world faces unprecedented challenges caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus, we look at the science behind vaccine technology being investigated and how intellectual property (IP) rights may play a part in its protection. This article was first published by BioScience Today and can be found here.   What is a Vaccine? The immune system… Read more »

Retail team member Sarah Neil follows up on her last article to assess how the Appointed Person considered the issue of the ‘senior user’ on appeal.   Introduction We previously reported the first instance decision in an opposition between ABP Technology Limited (“ABP”) and Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc (“VTB”) relating to the marks STEALTH and… Read more »

Trade mark rights IN THE RED! Automotive team member, Rachel Havard considers the CJEU’s recent judgement on genuine use of Ferrari’s TESTAROSSA trade mark.   The concept of “use it or lose it” We all probably need a bit of nostalgia in our lives, more than we ever did, and brand names/trade marks play a… Read more »

Brexit burn-out for the EUIPO Torpedo An often important element of the strategic considerations relating to claims in the UK for infringement of a registered EU right is due to be removed on 1 January 2021.   The Torpedo Article 132 of the EUTMR[1] states that EU trade mark courts shall stay an action for… Read more »

AA Thornton’s Mike Jennings joins the EPO, UKIPO and USPTO in inviting industry comments on the recent IP office consultations   The era of public consultations In the last 3 years, several intellectual property offices have invited the global IP community to express our views on what we need from them and from legislators. The… Read more »

UK Intellectual Property Office – new rules soon on address for service Following a consultation in the UK with intellectual property professionals, the UK Government has announced that the existing reference to the European Economic Area (EEA) will be removed from the current address for service rules for UK trade marks, designs and patents: Government’s… Read more »

AA Thornton joins Senior leaders’ diversity think tank This public statement was first published on IP Inclusive. We are proud to share the below statement from IP inclusive on the ‘diversity and inclusion think tank’ initiative. We support this initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion at AA Thornton, and strive… Read more »

It’s the Most Wonderful Mark of the Year: legal protection and use of seasonal slogan marks  Every year we wait with anticipation for the new John Lewis advert and the famous Coca Cola trucks to finally deliver the message that the holidays are coming! To the consumer seasonal adverts mean that businesses will be soon… Read more »

AA Thornton is ranked again as a Tier 1 firm in The Legal 500 The Legal 500 2021 edition has now been published and we are absolutely delighted to be recommended as a top-tier firm for our trade marks team, who have not only been described as “extremely talented“, ” excellent” and “dependable” but that their work for clients… Read more »

Appeals to the Appointed Person in the UK – the unappealing truth (part 2) This article was first published in The IPKat, and is a follow-up post from Ian Gill, who once again has been scouring decisions from the Appointed Person on trade mark appeals in the UK Intellectual Property Office.   Nearly five months… Read more »