tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60036074622101424712024-03-08T16:59:15.819-08:00IPR NEWS & VIEWSA blog to impart info on the happenings in the world of IPR presented from a legal perspective.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-57127016735082978302011-08-14T06:52:00.000-07:002011-08-14T06:52:46.632-07:00ARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The link between Intellectual Property Rights and Human Rights is on which has arisen in recent times. There has been a lot of conflict as regards these two rights. NGO’s have played a stellar role in trying to advocate that Intellectual Property Rights be regarded as Human Rights. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The concept of Human rights has been promulgated in various International Treaties like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ICESCR and the ICCPR. The same principle have been inculcated in various national laws.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">There are 3 interpretations which are available in the contemporary world”-</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US"><span>1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Intellectual Property Rights have no Human rights dimension.<span> </span>This angle has been discredited due to the text of the Solemn Declaration of the states of the Berne Union wherein it <span> </span>was stated that IPR’s are Human Rights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US"><span>2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Intellectual Property Rights are Human Rights with emphasis on property. This has for long been recognized as a basic human right and NGO’s have taken a lot of effort for the same to be recognized as such. This can be clearly seen in the U.S Constitution (Article 1 Clause 8) which talks about the progress of science and arts and also in the Article 17, 27 of the Universal declaration of Human Rights and also Article 15 of the ICESCR. This kind of n approach tries to maintain a balance between Human Rights and IPR.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US"><span>3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Some aspects of IPR have potentially adverse implications on Human Rights. Article 15 of the ICESCR tried to balance the public god as well as the private good. But the question arises as to where to draw the line for the protection so as to maintain this balance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The link between these two rights can be seen in the field of education as well as in the field of the right to access to medicines. It is in the later that the role of NGO’S has been of stellar importance. To explain the conflict we shall look at certain countries<span> </span>in which such conflicts have already arisen.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The country of <b>South Africa</b> emerged from apartheid rule in 1994. The events after this proved to be crucial in sharing South Africa’s policies. <span> </span>Firstly NGO’s campaigned to improve access to Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV). These NGO’s also interfered to address the relationship between Human Rights and Intellectual property Rights. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The HIV/AIDS was spreading rapidly in South Africa. The NGO’s found the going tough due to the fact that the attitude of the govt. officials was not conducive to the providing of ARV drugs and treatment of HIV/AIDS as they had their own ideas as to how to treat the disease. This attitude of the govt. can be seen in the statement of President of the country, Thabo Mbeki who questioned whether AIDS was caused by HIV and he also stated that he was not sure whether ARV were safe or not.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">An NGO known as Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) was formed out of a rally which was held in South Africa. The objectives of this NGO were to campaign for the equitable access to the treatment of medicines for HIV/AIDS. There main methods of campaign were through the instruments of litigation and lobbying.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In the year 2001, around 39 Pharmaceutical companies, represented by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PMA) brought an action before the High Court of South Africa. This was against an amendment wherein the Health Minster would have the power to issue compulsory licenses and to allow parallel imports. The PMA stated that this was against Article 31 of the TRIPS provisions. The TAC obtained permission from the court to be amicus curiae. There was a lot of media scrutiny and publicity and due to the huge amount of pressure and negative press, the PMA withdrew its complaint.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In <b>Brazil</b>, a number of NGO’s were acting on behalf of the people with HIV/AIDS and these NGO’s were instrumental in formulating the health care system of Brazil. Art. 196 of the Brazilian Constitution enshrined the Right to Health.<span> </span>The health care system is one in which the State provides for medicines to those who need it. <span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In 1990, the government began to freely give out AZT, an ARV drug to the citizens of Brazil due to the increase in the cases of HIV/AIDS. This drug was initially manufactured by Glaxo- Smith Kline.<span> </span>As the number of people with AIDS increased the amount of medicines required also rose. These drugs were priced at a very high rate and therefore the government found it difficult to send such huge sums of money to buy these drugs to provide for the masses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Due to these high prices, the government began to procure generic version of these drugs which were being manufactured locally. These were much cheaper and helped the government procure them at a cheaper rate and give them out to their citizens thus fulfilling their constitutional obligations. <span> </span>Till 1997, Pharma Companies were allowed to reverse engineer these patented drugs. <span> </span>After the advent of the TRIPS agreement, laws were introduced to protect these pharma companies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The aim of the Brazilian government was to maintain a balance between patents and the right to health and access to medicines. The instrument which they used to maintain this balance was the one of compulsory licenses. The government, by using this instrument was able to arm twist he MNC’s to reduce the prices of drugs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The U.S brought a complaint against Brazil and requested the WTO Dispute Settlement Body to resolve the dispute between them. According to them, the instrument’s of parallel importing and compulsory licenses were violating the TRIPS agreement. There was a huge uproar in Brazil and under a lot of media pressure, the U.S government withdrew their complaint.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In <b>India, </b>Right to health is read into the wide ambit of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution which talks of the Right to life and personal liberty. But India being a signatory hd to comply with the TRIPS provisions. They delayed the same till the year 2005 as to allow their generic drug manufacturers to be able to reverse engineer ad provide drugs so that the fundamental right of health could be pursued for the benefit of the citizens of India.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The Lawyers Collective organization was founded by Mr. Anand Grover and Indira Jaisingh with the aim of giving free legal advice. This organization commenced<span> </span>separate HIV/AIDS unit as a result of Mr. Anand Grover’s involvement in a case of Dominic D’souza. The main question was theater artiste and a celebrity. Hew s arrested by the Go Police and imprisoned due to him being suspected of HIV/AIDS under the Goa Public Health Amendment Act. Such a quarantining manner was not liked by activists ld by Mr. Grover who fought for a human right based approach. The court held that the needs of the people suffering from HIV/AIDS needed t be addressed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In all of the above we can clearly see how a conflict between Intellectual Property Rights and human rights related to health ad access to public medicines has come about. This conflict to a great extent has arisen due to a proper balance not being there. This conflict becomes higher due to the fact that many countries have incorporated human rights as part of their constitution and therefore are obligated to protect and guarantee the same. In such an environment, the high prices of essential drugs is not conducive. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">When we look at it from the view point of the Pharmaceutical companies, their angle happens to be that a huge amount of money is pent on Research d Development. Furthermore, due to them putting in their skill and labour, the fruits of their labour belong to them and they should have the right to be rewarded for it. This justification an be found in the theory of Thomas Hobbes (Social Contract Theory). Tey also state that since they are given time limit in which to exploit the fruits of their labour they should be able to decide what price they put on the same as well. After this time, the knowledge becomes public knowledge and they no longer can exploit the same. Also, unless you provide some incentive to these pharma companies, they wil not be interested in developing drugs for various ailment sin the world. Is can clearly be seen by the lack of medicines for diseases which have no commercial value and which are not widespread iike African sleeping sickness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">To protect IPR’s is essential but to protect the basic principles of Human rights is important as well. IPR’S can in conclusion be regarded as human rights with a strong emphasis on property.<span> </span>Proper balance is required between the two, if not conflicts such as has been listed above will arise.</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-31144375853269683612011-03-05T02:07:00.000-08:002011-03-05T02:07:53.111-08:00Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-49609179718389413612011-01-07T11:59:00.001-08:002011-01-07T11:59:26.733-08:00<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-92109883382951607672010-11-15T23:40:00.000-08:002010-11-15T23:40:24.933-08:00Law.com - Facebook Makes Good on Threat to Sue Lamebook<a href="http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202474912581&Facebook_Makes_Good_on_Threat_to_Sue_Lamebook">Law.com - Facebook Makes Good on Threat to Sue Lamebook</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-20904977193979446312010-11-09T01:55:00.000-08:002010-11-09T01:55:21.505-08:00US Trademark Commissioner Beresford To Retire<a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/11/09/us-trademark-commissioner-beresford-to-retire/">US Trademark Commissioner Beresford To Retire</a>: "United States Trademark Commissioner Lynne Beresford has announced she will retire on 30 December, according to the US Patent and Trademark Office. Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Operations Deborah Cohn will succeed Beresford and assume her new position as of 31 December.<br /><br /><h3>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/08/31/changes-at-uspto-sidleys-geneva-office/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Changes At USPTO, Sidley’s Geneva Office">Changes At USPTO, Sidley’s Geneva Office</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/09/13/ip-watch-chairs-ip-law-summit/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: IP-Watch Chairs IP Law Summit">IP-Watch Chairs IP Law Summit</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/11/07/dawn-of-wipo-industrial-design-treaty-talks-internet-as-trademark-danger-zone/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Dawn Of WIPO Industrial Design Treaty Talks; Internet As Trademark Danger Zone">Dawn Of WIPO Industrial Design Treaty Talks; Internet As Trademark Danger Zone</a></li><br /></ul>"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-39676687553477310692010-10-25T14:33:00.000-07:002010-10-25T14:33:13.343-07:00European Ruling Could Reshape Collective Copyright Levy System<a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/10/25/european-ruling-could-reshape-collective-copyright-levy-system/">European Ruling Could Reshape Collective Copyright Levy System</a>: "In a ruling expected to rock Europe’s controversial copyright levy system, the European Court of Justice held on 20 October that governments may impose fees on digital reproduction equipment to compensate rights holders only when the devices are likely to be used for private copying.<br /><br /><h3>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/04/07/special-report-the-significance-of-europes-ruling-on-google-ads-and-trademarks/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: <em>Special Report:</em> The Significance Of Europe’s Ruling On Google Ads And Trademarks"><em>Special Report:</em> The Significance Of Europe’s Ruling On Google Ads And Trademarks</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/03/17/european-broadcasters-call-for-easier-copyright-clearance-for-online-content/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: European Broadcasters Call For Easier Copyright Clearance For Online Content">European Broadcasters Call For Easier Copyright Clearance For Online Content</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/04/29/global-ip-enforcement-push-impacting-consumer-access-2010-ip-watchlist-finds/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Global IP Enforcement Push Impacting Consumer Access, 2010 IP Watchlist Finds">Global IP Enforcement Push Impacting Consumer Access, 2010 IP Watchlist Finds</a></li><br /></ul>"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-3799073827894155462010-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:03:09.613-07:00WIPO Launches New Technical Assistance Database<a href="http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2010/article_0051.html">WIPO Launches New Technical Assistance Database</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-3891889437306638472010-10-18T04:39:00.000-07:002010-10-18T04:39:25.326-07:00WIPO Launches New Database to Profile IP Case Studies<a href="http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/news/2010/article_0048.html">WIPO Launches New Database to Profile IP Case Studies</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-39443940297332245652010-10-18T04:38:00.000-07:002010-10-18T04:38:42.846-07:00WTO Paragraph 6 Meeting Aims At Improved Use Of Health Waiver<a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/10/16/wto-paragraph-6-meeting-aims-at-improved-use-of-health-waiver/">WTO Paragraph 6 Meeting Aims At Improved Use Of Health Waiver</a>: "The agenda has been circulated for the upcoming annual World Trade Organization review of an amendment to international IP trade law that has so far failed to increase access to needed medicines for the poorest economies. It shows a deeper look at existing measures and opens the possibility of new solutions to the issue.<br /><br /><h3>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/06/10/health-waiver-ip-enforcement-discussed-at-lively-wto-trips-council-meeting/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Health Waiver, IP Enforcement Discussed At Lively WTO TRIPS Council Meeting">Health Waiver, IP Enforcement Discussed At Lively WTO TRIPS Council Meeting</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/05/31/drug-access-waiver-debate-looms-for-june-trips-council-meeting/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Drug Access Waiver Debate Looms For June TRIPS Council Meeting">Drug Access Waiver Debate Looms For June TRIPS Council Meeting</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/02/11/wto-members-to-consider-review-of-trips-public-health-amendment/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: WTO Members To Consider Review Of TRIPS Public Health Amendment">WTO Members To Consider Review Of TRIPS Public Health Amendment</a></li><br /></ul>"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-80012398723107158622010-05-12T21:08:00.000-07:002010-05-12T21:08:39.499-07:00The Collision Of Trademarks And Domain Names In Switzerland : Internet Business Law<a href="http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=articles&id=773E2CA3-92D9-45FB-A73C-F85615BC72E6">The Collision Of Trademarks And Domain Names In Switzerland : Internet Business Law</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-6413267685246802102010-03-25T03:00:00.000-07:002010-03-25T03:00:43.459-07:00Artist claims Green Day stole artwork for concert backdrop--The Hollywood Reporter | Esq. | Entertainment and Media Law<a href="http://thresq.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/03/green-day-artwork-lawsuit.html">Artist claims Green Day stole artwork for concert backdrop--The Hollywood Reporter | Esq. | Entertainment and Media Law</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-82897913785062168982010-02-09T00:51:00.000-08:002010-02-09T00:51:35.475-08:00L'OREAL vs. VLCCThere seems to be a dispute between the above mentioned companies with regards to the mark 'FUEL'. VLCC seems to have acquired the mark from a businessman, Mr. Mahesh Chaudhary int he year 2006.<br />
<br />
L'oreal is reported to have acquired the same fromt he same individual. If true, both of these companie shave been duped. The next question is whether they can co-exist within the ambit of Section 12 of the Trademarks Act, 1999?<br />
<br />
A hearing is scheduled at the Delhi High Court in the future....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-71640781750872117912010-02-03T22:16:00.000-08:002010-02-03T22:16:56.153-08:00INDIA JOINING THE MADRID PROTOCOLThe Lok Sabha, the lower House of the Indian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Trademarks Act wherein the country could sign the Madrid Protocol within the next year.<br />
<br />
This is huge step forward as it would enable MNC's to file for trademark protection in India using the Madrid system. In the current economic scenario where we see Indian Companies forging ahead with Merger & Acquisition, this move could prove to be beneficial for Indian Companies as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-2967983192839175622010-02-03T19:56:00.000-08:002010-02-03T19:56:44.805-08:00Apple Files iPad Design Trademarks - Patently Apple<a href="http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/02/apple-files-ipad-design-trademarks.html">Apple Files iPad Design Trademarks </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-89624572268644506822010-02-03T04:14:00.000-08:002010-02-03T04:14:55.483-08:00SPICY IP: Asked not to Dial : Just Dial Accuses Askme of Data Theft<a href="http://spicyipindia.blogspot.com/2010/02/asked-not-to-dial-just-dial-accuses.html">SPICY IP: Asked not to Dial : Just Dial Accuses Askme of Data Theft</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-7974827504867872762010-01-18T19:50:00.000-08:002010-01-18T19:50:39.352-08:00BHARTI WAL MART FACES HURDLES<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Bharti Wal-Mart joint venture in India is facing problems with the trademarking of some of its food products.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In 2008 the company filed applications to register its Great Value (GV) label with a logo to the Indian Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It has been reported that the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks office did not grant either the logo or the trademark to Bharti Wal-Mart.<br style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wal-Mart has successfully registered the GV brand in other countries without incident, and the company has already launched several GV products in India without having the appropriate trademark registration for the products.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bharti Wal-Mart has also filed several applications seeking to trademark ‘Indian-sounding' names, such as Sankskar, Sabhyata, Cimran, Pranay, Srishti and Jovaki, but the company faced opposition to most of these applications</span></span><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-32246800676781805272010-01-04T21:11:00.000-08:002010-01-04T21:11:19.720-08:00NIVEA WINS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div class="Article_Text" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; list-style-position: outside; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-transform: none; vertical-align: middle;">Nivea, a global skin- and body-care brand owned by Beiersdorf Company of Germany, has prevailed in its trademark dispute with Yingzi Cosmetics Co., Ltd. The Beijing People's No. 2 Intermediate Court ruled that although Yingzi's "OUMEINA" trademark is not identical to Beiersdorf's "NIVEA" trademark, the pattern, word arrangement and wrapping were similar enough to cause customer confusion and constitute trademark infringement.</div><div class="Article_Text" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; list-style-position: outside; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-transform: none; vertical-align: middle;">Yingzi argued against customer confusion, asserting that Nivea is not a well-enough known brand in China, that the marks "NIVEA" and "OUMEINA" are not similar, and that the respective customer classes are different (e.g., the respective brands have different price ranges and are carried in different stores). Yingzi also argued that the Nivea wrapping is typical cosmetics wrapping, and therefore did not distinguish Beierdorf's products.</div><div class="Article_Text" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; list-style-position: outside; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-transform: none; vertical-align: middle;">Nevertheless, the court ruled against Yingzi, because the respective brands are used in the same industry and in association with same product type. Moreover, although the marks are different and the wrapping is arguably generic, the decorations (colors and shapes) on Nivea's wrapping are sufficiently unique to cause customer confusion where Yingzi's wrapping decorations were similar. The court ordered Yingzi to pay damages of RMB120,000 to Beiersdorf.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-29073632840818780652009-10-14T07:23:00.000-07:002009-10-14T07:23:10.892-07:00RAYBAND SUNGLASSES<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The makers of Rayban sunglasses, "Luxottica" had succeeded in obtaining John doe orders against many shop owners who are selling fake Rayban sunglasses. The court has directed that action by seizure of fake products in such shops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">John Doe orders are passed to enable seizure of infringing goods and operate against any potential defendant, who is identified subsequently</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-83475828101847468112009-10-11T06:08:00.000-07:002009-10-11T06:08:47.388-07:00KOTAK MAHINDRA WINS A DOMAIN NAMEKotak Mahindra bank won a domain name dispute at the WIPO against an individual who had used KOTAK as his domain name. A complaint was filed by the bank against the individual of South Korean descent on July 16, 2009.<br />
<br />
Than bank did hold a trademark registration for the mark KOTAK in South Korea which it had got on October 28, 2003.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-84740587401117406232009-09-17T01:45:00.000-07:002009-09-17T02:13:12.101-07:00ARUN JAITLEY FIGHTS FOR HIS DOMAIN NAME<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mr. Arun Jaitley ahs decided to move the Delhi High Court with regards to the auctioning of the url "www.arunjaitley.com".</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mr. Jaitley had suposedly approached Network Solutions Inc. (the company who owns the domain name) for the ownership of the same. He was informed that the domain name was "pending deletion". Within a day or two, the domain name was transfered to an auction Company called Portfolio Brains who in turn put up the same for an auction. The cost of the same is ruored to eb around $ 14,445.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-76383487636762733842009-08-20T00:12:00.000-07:002009-08-20T00:15:25.686-07:00NO TO TWEET<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In a blow to Twitter, the USPTO has primarily denied the Trademark application for th word “tweet”.</span></p> <p style="margin-top:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:12.75pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Twitter originally filed for the trademark on April 16. In the application, the company expressed its desire to use tweet “through the applicant’s related company or licensee the mark in commerce on or in connection with the identified goods and/or services.” It seemed like a standard application that, once reviewed, would make “tweet” one of Twitter’s registered trademarks.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:12.75pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But after reviewing Twitter’s application and sifting through its listing of pending applications, the Patent Office found that three companies had already applied for trademarks that contained “tweet” in their names. They were simply too close to the trademark Twitter wanted.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:12.75pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The Patent Office attached applications sent by those three companies–TweetMarks, Cotweet, and Tweetphoto–with Twitter’s rejection notice. In that notice dated July 1, the Patent Office explained that each of those trademark applications were filed with its office before Twitter’s application.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:12.75pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“Marks in prior-filed pending applications may present a bar to registration of applicant’s mark,” the office wrote.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:7.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left: 0in;line-height:12.75pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It went on to say that Twitter’s tweet mark “may be refused registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d) because of a<br />likelihood of confusion between the two marks.” It couldn’t say for sure that it would be refused registration, since the three previous applications were still pending.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-19136338104949791732009-08-13T21:23:00.000-07:002009-08-13T21:27:39.655-07:00MICROSOFT IN TROUBLE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Microsoft Corp. has landed itself in deep waters. The district court of Eastern Texas has given an injunction agaist MS Word. Any version of Word which can open up an custom XML file has been banned as it infringes the patent of a Canandian Comoany known as i4i.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This comes a s blow for microsoft which was planing on launching its 2010 version. Thsi alos may affect the deal Microsoft tied up with Nokia Recently to provide MS Office application to Nokia Phones. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-44200796993337700362009-06-28T23:48:00.000-07:002009-06-28T23:58:54.656-07:00MICHAEL JACKSON'S PATENT<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The untimely death of Michael Jackson has creatin a wave of emotion. In the filed of IPR MJ is wrongly credited with his trademark move the Moon walk. This dance move was in use by other breakdances...MJ just made it famous..so famous that it its origins was atributed to him.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But there is a move which MJ did invent and he did get the Patent for the same. He was granted US Patent No.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><u style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.iptrademarkattorney.com/michael-jackson-patent-dance-shoes-5255452.pdf" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> 5,255,452</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> for a move in his "Smooth Crminal" Video</span></u><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.</span></u></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-59253030122154093022009-06-10T20:57:00.000-07:002009-06-10T21:01:01.871-07:00IPL TEAM NAMES APPLIED FOR TM REGISTRATION<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">A company called KBJ Asset Holding in South Africa is trying to register as trademarks the various team names like Deccan Chargers, KKR etc as their trademarks. These are the team namesof the very popular IPL which had recently concluded in South Africa.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This would amoutnt o a gross violation ofthe rghts and the popularity which these tems enjoy. Various recourses to tacklet he sae are being worked out by legal practionerds in India.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003607462210142471.post-88582505557044650482009-05-19T21:16:00.000-07:002009-05-19T21:20:17.041-07:00MARICO vs. ADITYA BIRLA<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">In a fight of a monumental nature, Marico has filed a suit against the use of the Kara Skin Wipes against that of Marico's well established and registered Trademark Kaya Skin Wipes. Marico have also opposed the same at the Trdaemark Registry.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The matter wil be heard at the Delhi High Court in the month of July.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008611469199034846noreply@blogger.com0