The anticipated reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic in Thailand is not expected to affect the two-year-old relaxation of the historical ban on trademarks featuring cannabis leaf designs or names associated with cannabis. In 2018, Thailand legalized cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, challenging its traditionally stringent drug laws. In 2022, the Thai Food and […]
Tag: intellectual property
Positive Developments in Vietnam’s IP Appeal Process
Vietnam’s intellectual property (IP) landscape is witnessing significant improvements, particularly in the appeal process for IP decisions. Recent regulatory changes and the establishment of new departments aim to streamline and expedite the resolution of appeals, which have historically been lengthy and cumbersome. 1. Establishment of the Inspection and Appeal Department On 1st July 2024, the […]
Thailand: IP Fair 2024 Highlights Innovations and Business Ideas in Intellectual Property
From August 16-18, 2024, the Department of Intellectual Property Thailand (DIP), in partnership with various public and private sector organizations, hosted IP Fair 2024. This is an annual event to raise awareness about intellectual property (IP), bridge the gap between IP and the business world, and celebrate groundbreaking intellectual creations. The theme for this year’s […]
India- High Court emphasizes the crucial role of procedural fairness in patent application evaluation
The surge in patent filings and government initiatives highlight India’s commitment to fostering innovation. Despite challenges faced by the Indian Patent Office and the applicants, the principles of natural Justice remain pivotal. A recent ruling by the Delhi High Court in the matter of Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC v. The Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs […]
Successful Mediation challenges the archaic notion of “an eye for an eye”
A first successful mediation under the WIPO-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Programme (“AMP”) saw parties amicably settling their dispute in October 2023. Both disputants’ primary business was in eyecare and eye examination. The matter concerned the use of Chew’s Optics (“Party A”)’s registered trade mark(s) under Class 35: Party A had already been utilising the said trade […]
Singapore – Trademark Laws & Generative-AI
In the age of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) proliferating, disruptions are experienced across industries including service and media. Generative AI (or “GenAI”) is also interluding in the realm of intellectual property (“IP”). Trademark laws, among other IP Laws, are facing new challenges and complexities and require fresher perspectives for improving brand protection, especially in countries like […]
A different Monster
This decision arose from Monster Energy Company’s opposition against the registration of the Application Mark “GENTLE MONSTER” (a word mark) by IICOMBINED Co., Ltd, in Class 9 for “smartglasses”, on the following grounds: That the Application Mark is confusingly similar to its “MONSTER ENERGY” marks, one of which was registered in 2014 in Class 9; […]
ASEAN – Launch of Official Intellectual Property Register
On 20th August 2023, ASEAN, having collaborated with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), officially launched the ASEAN Intellectual Property Register (“ASEAN IP Register”). This ASEAN IP Register is intended to act as a consolidated one-stop information portal that allows IP professionals and interested parties to conduct trademark, patent, and design searches from all 10 […]
IPOS Extended Anew Its Patent Acceleration Initiative under ASPEC AIM Programme
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has recently further extended its patent acceleration program, the ASPEC Acceleration for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure and Manufacturing Pilot (ASPEC AIM) Programme until 26 August 2025. This extension allows patent applicants in the ASEAN region to continue benefiting from an accelerated examination procedure for their Industry 4.0 inventions. ASPEC […]
SINGAPORE: New Disclosure Framework Aims to Help Companies Improve Transparency Around Intangible Assets
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority have jointly launched the Intangibles Disclosure Framework (Framework), which provides guidelines to companies for identifying and disclosing various non-physical assets or intangibles, including intellectual property (IP) rights, to various stakeholders. Strategy—helps companies share and communicate how intangibles are relevant to, and used […]