trademarks

Pakistan joins the Madrid Protocol

In a major development, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan acceded to the Madrid Protocol on February 24, 2021, making it the 108th member of the Madrid system which now covers 124 countries in total. Pakistan also becomes the fourth SAARC country to join the Madrid Protocol after…


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…


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…


Infringement & the Essential Feature of a Trademark

The importance of a Trademark and the benefits it confers on a business entity cannot in any manner be overlooked. Through a logo or a symbol, a Trade Mark is inherently capable of conveying a company’s reputation or goodwill on a cursory glance made by an average purchaser. Such being the case,…