Trademarks

Updates from the IP offices in the Indian Sub-Continent (COVID-19)

Subsequent to the lockdown/restrictions announced due to the COVID-19 situation, by the Government of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh & the Maldives the respective IP offices have either suspended their operations or have limited staff working remotely. India: All operations…


Indian IP office notifications relating to the extension of deadlines at the time of COVID-19

Notifications by the Indian Intellectual Property Office during COVID-19 The paranoia around the COVID-19 continues to etch the air with causalities, while the citizens and the government continue to strive to put their best foot forward to ensure maximum safety and avoid anarchy. With this, we…


The Bridge to India- The Guidelines bridging the gap

The whispers have been incessant since the announcement of the Bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Programme between the Indian Patent Office (IPO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO), which commenced officially on November 21, 2019, by signing a Joint Statement of Intent (JSOI) to this effect…


The Bridge to India - The potential of the recent PPH agreement between Japan & India

With the announcement of the Bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Programme between the Indian Patent Office under the Controller General of Patents, Design and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the floodgates to investments and financing in India has opened…


Trademarks- A sanctioned vent of cultural appropriation-II

Trademark law and combatting Cultural appropriation After a wave of backlash faced by Kim Kardashian and Disney for cultural appropriation, the debate over Trademark law and cultural appropriation awakened. The IP community and the activists stand divided on the issue. While trademark is meant for…


Trademarks – A sanctioned vent for cultural appropriation?

In the recent times we have seen bizarre trademark registrations from names like 'Blue Ivy Carter' to English phrases that are prima facie non-distinctive and could go out of style' (Taylor Swift, we’re looking at you). Imagine not being able to label your lungis, as 'lungi' because a juggernaut…


Draft Model Guidelines on implementation of IPR policy for Academic Institutions

The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DIPP) floated a 23 page model guidelines booklet on the implementation of IPR policies in Academic Institutions, in early September, 2019. In a bout to foster creativity and innovation, the…


The Trademark Office to the rescue; to rectify errors and issue fresh Trademark Registration Certificates.

Trademark holders can finally stop fretting over errors in their trademark registration certificates with the much-welcomed notice by the Indian Trademarks Office dated September 6, 2019.  After multiple requests from the Trademark Owners and trademark Counsels troubled with wrong details on the…


An Overview of Standard Essential Patents

If one must buy a mobile in today’s world, one always looks at specifications of the device, the software version, the latest features, etc. But did you know that there is an entire system that dictates the quality and features of technological devices, which everyone in the industry has to……


As Vistara Takes off –Legally

It is of common knowledge that planes fly by taking off, but sometimes they just have to take off in the other sense of the word! Rightfully! Recently, a case was filed by TATA SIA AIRLINES LIMITED (party to the VISTARA joint venture) against PILOT18 AVIATION BOOK STORE when they saw that the…