ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL

Lego was the receipent of bad news today from the CFI. The CFI rejected Lego's appeal against OHIM's Board of Appeal's decision that the Lego brick shape is not registrable as a CTM.

SULLING OF THE MERCEDEZ BRAND

Mercedez Benz has requested that their trademarks be removed from the movie Slumdog Millionaire by Director Danny Boyle. In the companies opinion, they believe that their mark would be sullied as the show is set in the slums.

The question arises as to whether the it would have resulted in sullign or not. Mercedez is a well known brand and the people who know about a Mercedez will definitly not be taken in by the movie and the showing of the brand in a slum as they are informed viewers and know something about cars.

PATENT FOR BHARATMATRIMONY.COM

Bharatmatrimony.com has filed for patent protection for programs like veriprofile and virtual matrimony meet. For more information read the article at this link 

http://www.techgoss.com/Story/804S14-Patent-shaadi-meets.aspx

NEW GI IN ANDHRA PRADESH

CII-Andhra Pradesh Technology Development Centre, Hyderabad in Collaboration with Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation have facilitated the grant of Geographical Indications of Nirmal Painitings, Nirmal Furnitures and Leather Puppetry. This is the first hand made paintings, furniture and leather puppets from the state of A.P to be granted a Geographical Indication.

BIKE GANG'S TRADEMARK BANNED

US Department of Justice has effectively seized control of the trade mark of the Mongols motorcycle gang, a picture of a Mongolian warrior wearing sunglasses. The gang appears to have been engaged in violent crime, and at the same time as the injunction banning the use of the trade mark, 79 gang members were indicted. Although the injunction banning the logo originally cracked down on distribution or sale of the logo, it now states that gang members "shall surrender for seizure all products, clothing, vehicles, motorcycles ... or other materials bearing the Mongols trademark, upon presentation of a copy of this order."de mark, 79 gang members were indicted. Although the injunction banning the logo originally cracked down on distribution or sale of the logo, it now states that gang members "shall surrender for seizure all products, clothing, vehicles, motorcycles ... or other materials bearing the Mongols trademark, upon presentation of a copy of this order."

THE MINT vs. CSE

A copyright battle has ensued between The Mint (newspaper) and CSE or Center for Science and Environment. The Mint has alleged that CSE has reproduced a large number of copyrighted articles of The Mint on www.indiaenvirnomentalportal.org.in. 

These allegations by the mint have been made by its editor on its blog

GOOGLE THUMBNAILS INFRINGE COPYRIGHTS?

Two German court rulings that Google thumbnail images infringe copyright. Since there is no duty on owners of copyright images to let search engine indexing robots know what files to avoid, the need to avoid infringing copyright rests firmly on Google's shoulders.