The UKIPO rejects Kellogg’s trade mark opposition

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has rejected a trademark opposition brought by the Kellogg Company against British brewery Fuller’s.   In June 2018, Kellogg’s filed an opposition to Fuller’s ‘Fruit Loop’ mark for a seasonal summer beer, which Kellogg’s claimed infringed its EU trademark for its breakfast cereal brand Froot Loops. Kellogg’s claimed that the…

High Court employs ‘intention to target’ approach to determine application of EU/UK law in online trade mark infringement case

The High Court recently issued a judgment concerning determination of the law applicable to online trade mark infringements in the case of Easygroup Ltd v Easy Fly Express Ltd & Chowdhury. The Claimant, easyGroup is the proprietor of the word mark EASYJET and the word easyFlights. The two Defendants’, Mr Chowdhury and his company Easy…

Marc Jacobs Wants Nirvana’s Copyright Lawsuit Dismissed

Lawyers for fashion designer Marc Jacobs have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit made against him by the estate of the band Nirvana, which accuses him of copyright infringement. The designer’s collection features a cartoon “smiley face” similar to the one used by Nirvana as their logo, along with the word “Heaven” printed in the distinctive typeface used…

Aberdeen FC loses trademark battle over ‘Dons Dram’ whisky

Aberdeen FC have lost a court battle with a Spanish sherry-maker, Sandeman over the right to call their brand of Scotch whisky the ‘Dons Dram’ – because Sandeman owns the copyright. Aberdeen FC, nicknamed The Dons, launched the blended whisky and applied to register the name Dons Dram as a trademark to protect its brand, however, Sandeman objected.…

Janelle Monáe accused by fashion designer of wearing ‘copied’ outfit

Nange Magro, a London-based fashion designer has said her costume designs have been plagiarised for Janelle Monáe’s recent Grammy awards performance. Magro posted images on Instagram comparing designs she made in 2015 with those worn by Monáe on stage at the Grammys. She said “ I am flattered to be an inspiration for this amazing artist,…