Insights

Why Seek Trademark Protection for Movie Titles or Characters if Copyright Already Applies?

In the entertainment industry, protecting creative assets isn’t just about legal rights—it’s about building a brand. While copyright automatically protects movies and characters as original works, it doesn’t always go far enough. That’s where trademarks […]

“Black Friday” Trademark Controversy: Can A Shopping Phenomenon Be Owned?

Since 2016, the term “Black Friday” has been registered as a trademark in Germany, granting exclusive rights to a single company, Super Union Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong, for its use in advertising. This registration […]

Lessons Learned From Recent Case Law On Bad Faith Trademark Filings In Bosnia And Herzegovina

Introduction: Addressing Bad Faith Trademark Applications Unlike many neighboring countries, the Trademark Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina explicitly addresses bad faith trademark applications as both relative grounds for refusal and as a basis for contesting a trademark through […]

Changing Practices At The Croatian SIPO: A Noteworthy Trademark Decision

The Croatian State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) has recently demonstrated a possible evolution in its approach to trademark assessments. In a significant decision, SIPO reconsidered and ultimately reversed a provisional refusal of the trademark “SAFEGUARD […]

Trademark Triumph: Landmark Profit Surrender Ruling In Serbia

Serbia’s 2020 Trademark Law introduced a novel provision to local law: the trademark holders have been explicitly empowered to claim profit surrender in cases where the infringement was not intentional or grossly negligent. Specifically, the […]

Understanding The Exhaustion Of Trademark Rights In The Western Balkans: A Detailed Overview

The concept of exhaustion of trademark rights is a nuanced aspect of intellectual property law that might seem counterintuitive to those unfamiliar with the field. This article explores this concept, focusing on how it is […]

Decoding The Sweet Distinctiveness Of Gummy Bears: A Breakdown Of The Latest EUIPO Decision

Taking a Closer Look at Rules set by EUTMR According to Article 4 of the EUTMR, an EU trademark may consist of any signs, especially words, including personal names, or of drawings, letters, numerals, colours, […]

New Slovenian IP Act (ZIL-1F) – What’s New?

On June 28, 2023, the National Assembly of Slovenia adopted an amendment to the Industrial Property Act – ZIL-1F, which enters into force on July 27, 2023. In the area of trademarks, parties will achieve […]

Key Trademark Facts In Montenegro

Registering a trademark in Montenegro is a crucial step for any business or individual seeking to protect their brand and prevent unauthorized use by others. Several amendments of the Montenegrin Trademark Law enacted as from […]

ZMP At INTA 2023 Annual Meeting Live+ And WTR Industry Awards In Singapore

Every year INTA Annual Meeting brings together the most influential intellectual property (IP) and business professionals from across the globe. It is one of the largest gatherings of its kind. This year the event took […]