Sound Board

Our thoughts and views on the practice of Intellectual Property in India and around the world.

Trademarks, like all intellectual property, are an integral part of a modern business’ assets. It is not uncommon nowadays for the value of a business’ IP to far exceed its physical assets. Like any asset, trademarks can also be bought, sold, and transferred between entities. Whenever there has been any change in the details of the owner of a trademark, whether, through an assignment, name change, or merger, it is always advisable to record this change with the concerned trademarks office as…

Protection of trademark in Maldives is by way of publishing a  caution notice in the local newspapers in circulation in Maldives. We have tried to address the frequently asked questions (FAQ's) from our clients about the trademark registration in Maldives in this post and hope you find this useful.

The decision to accede to the Madrid Protocol has been a debate for the past 3 to 4 years in Sri Lanka. While the country had agreed to accede to the Madrid protocol in 2017, for unknown reasons it was pushed to 2018 and further again to 2020. Finally, they have agreed to accede to the Madrid Protocol by mid-2020.

The Supreme Court of India had taken suo motu cognizance and rendered a laudable order on March 23, 2020, by extending the period of limitation in all matters, irrespective of the genre of laws. It held that a period of limitation in all proceedings, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under the general law or Special Laws whether condonable or not shall stand extended with effect from March 15, 2020, until further order(s) are passed in the proceeding.

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. 

The paranoia around the COVID-19 continues to stretch the air, people, citizens and the government continue to strive to put their best foot forward to ensure maximum safety and avoid anarchy. With this, we would like to inform you that, the Indian government have been meticulous in their work and have always ensured the best for its citizens, with this the Indian Patent Office, the Indian Trade Marks Registry and the Indian Copyright Office have released their official notices dated,…

The pre-grant opposition can be filed by anyone at any time from the date of publishing of the patent application in the patent journal up to its grant. To initiate a Pre-Grant Opposition, the aggrieved party must submit their opposition representation, in writing to the Controller. This submission may be supported with additional and relevant evidence to substantiate the claims made therein.

The Indian Patent Office (IPO) released the guidelines on November 29, 2019. These procedure guidelines mention the procedures that applicants need to follow while requesting for expedited examination under the PPH pilot program.

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 opportunities beyond borders.

While trademark is meant for a dual function of identifying and distinguishing from others, public interest and community sentiments have also been taken into consideration in trademark law.