For many of us, the metaverse may still be a rather vague and distant concept. However, for businesses the metaverse offers new and as yet unexplored commercial opportunities that should not be overlooked. This article explores the potential benefits of the metaverse (and Web 3.0 more generally) for businesses, and highlights some of the intellectual property considerations and risks that are associated with a move into this space.

Alexandra Nott, Associate in the Dehns Trade Marks Group, discusses the Framework Cooperation Agreement signed by the IOC and the WIPO to promote the importance of IP rights for the international sports community.

We can all undoubtedly learn a lot from Greta Thunberg – whether that’s greater awareness of the extent of the climate crisis, how we can take steps to reduce our own environmental impact or the power and influence of youth activism. But what does her story tell us about trade marks?

A recent ruling by the EUIPO First Board of Appeal in Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. v UAB Fire Experts (R0780/2019-1, [2020]), in which Dehns acted for the Appellant, saw a total overturning of the earlier Opposition Division decision.  Whilst the Opposition Division determined abruptly and definitively that there was no similarity between the goods at issue, rejecting the opposition in just two pages, the Board annulled this first instance decision and instead refused the contested application in full.

Last weekend, ‘Hugo Boss’ was trending on Twitter. Not, however, because of a product launch or advertising campaign relating to the luxury fashion brand, but as a result of comedian turned consumer rights advocate Joe Lycett’s announcement that he has legally changed his name by deed poll to Hugo Boss.

After a number of setbacks (not least in the United Kingdom) in its ambition to hold a valid EU trade mark registration for the shape of its four-finger Kit Kat chocolate bar, Nestlé must have been keeping all four of its fingers crossed last Wednesday when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on the validity of its registered trade mark in the EU.

Under the company RC Pet Products Limited, Rory Carr trades in a variety of goods for animals, such as collars, coats, harnesses and pet toys. As part of its branding the company uses an image of a paw print, and was surprised to encounter opposition from a well-known company trading in waterproof clothing, tents, and other outdoor equipment for humans. This opposition was one of many initiated by German company Jack Wolfskin in an attempt to assert broad rights to the device of a paw print.

Over recent times, owners of confectionery brands including KitKat have been left with a sour taste in their mouths following disputes involving their 3D trade mark registrations.  A new case involving Toblerone manufacturer, Mondelez International, Inc., and high street discount store, Poundland, potentially looks set to re-examine the tricky issues surrounding 3D marks.

It’s safe to say that, in the world of trade marks, there’s no love lost between Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis and cereal manufacturer Kellogg Company, which is taking legal action against Kokkinakis’s proposed use of the mark Special K.