In a recent case, the relationship between the two parties was crucial to ascertaining that an application was made in bad faith and claimant’s conduct “did not meet the acceptable commercial behavior observed by reasonable and experienced men.” In its decision issued on September 16, 2022, the court dismissed the claimant’s infringement claim in its […]
Tag: trademark registration
Thailand’s New Trademark Examination Guideline 2022
The Department of Intellectual Property in Thailand has issued the final version of the Trademark Examination Guideline (“TM Guideline”) on 17th January 2022 which applies to all pending and new trademark applications. The new TM Guideline sheds light on many important issues, pertinently those relating to registrability, highlighted as follows: On the first requirement of […]
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) issue a new “Fast Track System” for Trademark Registration and Trademark Renewal
As per the recent Department of Intellectual Property (DIP)’s Declaration, the DIP has announced a Fast Track system for (1) Trademark Registration and (2) Trademark Renewal (effective from 23th February 2021), which can be summarised as follows: Trademark Registration Fast Track System– The usual timeframe for Trademark Registration as per the DIP Manual (as issued […]
SINGAPORE: Principal Assistant Registrar Exercises Power to Give Decision Without a Hearing
As a result of inaction by the applicant, the Principal Assistant Registrar (PAR) exercised his power under Section 37(4) of the Trade Marks Rules to decide on a case on February 4, 2020, without any hearing. Seek Asia Pte Ltd (the applicant) applied to register a composite trademark “SEEK ASIA” consisting of the words “Seek […]
SINGAPORE: Harvard Club of Singapore and Its Founders Battle for Trademarks
The Harvard Club of Singapore (opponent) was an official alumni club of Harvard University (formed by the president and fellows of Harvard College (applicant)) whose status was revoked by the applicant due to issues concerning leadership of the club. With the revocation, the applicant withdrew its consent to the opponent’s use of the names “Harvard” […]
SINGAPORE: Court Rules ‘Tartan’ Is Not a Geographical Indication
Scotch Whisky Association (the appellant) is an association protecting the interests of leading distillers, blenders, and exporters of the Scotch Whisky trade worldwide. Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd (the respondent) is a Japanese department store selling a variety of products, including alcoholic beverages. The respondent applied for “Isetan Tartan” (the mark) in Singapore in Class 33 for […]
SINGAPORE: The Patissier Delivers a Bitter Chocolate for Aalst to Swallow
In a decision dated April 9, 2019, Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd (applicant) unsuccessfully challenged the validity of a trademark registration for a stylized version of the words “The Patissier” (the subject mark). Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd v. The Patissier LLP [2019] SGIPOS 7. The applicant is a Singaporean chocolate manufacturer and exporter. The Patissier LLP […]
Apple Secures “IWATCH” Trademark Registration in Singapore
On 24 January 2019, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) delivered its written judgement dismissing an opposition filed by Swatch AG (“SWATCH”) for the registration of the mark “IWATCH” filed by Apple Inc. (“Apple”). Swatch based its opposition on the grounds that “IWATCH” was confusingly similar to its earlier marks, “SWATCH” and “ ”, […]