Trademarks
Intellectual property cross-overs in the real and fantasy worlds
Have you wanted to visit the Maclaren’s Pub or Central Perk and live your moment from How I Met Your Mother or Friends? Have you wanted to taste the Bertie Bott’s Every Bean Flavour from the Harry Potter Series or wished the Bat Mobile was real?! I’m sure we all have wanted to live or rather…
Of Intellectual Property and brand
When the Tata motors bought Jaguar back in 2008, why did they buy it? For the quality of their products? Their technology? May be. Similarly, when Geeley Motors of China acquired the Swedish brand Volvo and Krafty bought Cadbury, what did they buy it for? They were all bought because of the brand…
Bombay HC discusses trademark issues in modern times
Of the several cases of trademark infringement and passing off that are decided by the Courts, some cases are known for clarifying the position of law on an issue and some for addressing issues not previously discussed by the Courts. Not very often do we come across cases that simplify and…
Trans-border reputation of global trademarks in India
You have a brand but you don’t’ sell the products under that brand in India and neither do you hold a trademark registration for the mark in India. Meanwhile, someone in India adopts your brand name and starts manufacturing and selling products under that brand. If you have advertisements in…
Tag Lines - Catchy Yet Elusive As A Trademark?
Just as the image says, I would like to get to the point. But well..it is certainly not that easy! One of the most interesting debatable matters, atleast as far as India is concerned, is the validity of tag lines as trademarks. So what are tag lines? As we all know, tag lines are nothing but…
Rectification of trademark in India on grounds of non-use
Rectification of the register is a proceeding in which a party seeks to remove a registered trademark from the register. In India, Section 47 of the Trademarks Act lays down two scenarios regarding removal of a registered trademark, they are; if it is proved that the trademark was registered…
Trademark Renewal - The Indian Scenario. Only A Single Chance?
As mentioned in my previous articles, the life of a trademark is ten years in India post which the mark requires to be renewed every ten years to keep the mark alive. Of course, the Trademark law requires the Trademark Office to notify the proprietor before the expiry of registration. Now the…
Rajnikanth's personality rights - It's only his. Mind it!
Celebrities in India (particularly actors and film makers) have become extremely vigilant of their rights. There has been a considerable increase in the number of cases requesting for John Doe orders, recognition of celebrity rights and the number of trademark applications for the name of famous…
Trademark Infringement:U.S Cadbury Vs U.K Cadbury - Hershey's not ready to melt!
Who does not love chocolates?But the British in America do not seem to be in for "any" chocolate; much to their dismay though. America's leading confectionery giant Hershey, over a matter of trademark infringement, has brought about the ban of imported (U.K) Cadbury chocolates in U.S.A. It is…
Fluid trademarks – Go with the flow?
Most of us use Google almost every day and intentionally or unintentionally, we look forward to seeing what the Google Doodle of the day would be! Well, that is the kind of impact that the constantly changing “Google” logo has created on the minds of its users. I personally am very fascinated with…