SINGAPORE: Registrar Is Unconvinced by Similarity and Bad-Faith Allegations

This decision shows that a high threshold of proof is required to be successful in trademark similarity and bad-faith allegations. Despite two competing marks sharing the same word, stylistic and emphatic differences can render them dissimilar. Even in those circumstances, sufficient distinction between those marks remains commercially acceptable and can rebut an allegation of bad […]

SINGAPORE: Decision Finds Jewelry Mark Containing ‘Love’ Is Distinctive

In a decision handed down on December 20, 2018, in MoneyMax Jewellery Pte. Ltd v. Cartier International AG, [2018] SGIPOS 22, the opponent, Cartier International AG, unsuccessfully opposed the registration of a mark by the applicant, MoneyMax Jewellery. The opponent initiated trademark opposition proceedings at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) on July 28, […]

Well Known Trademark Pierre Cardin Loses Final Battle in Indonesia Court

The long running dispute between Pierre Cardin (“Plaintiff”) and Alexander Satryo Wibowo (“Defendant”) finally reached its conclusion on 28 June 2018 (Supreme Court Decision No. 49 PK/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2018). The Plaintiff filed for a cancellation action against the Defendant for the registered trademarks PIERRE CARDIN wordmark and PIERRE CARDIN device in class 3. The grounds were (1) […]

SINGAPORE: IP Office Emphasizes Understanding of Average Consumer in Assessing Similarity

In Monster Energy Company v. NBA Properties, Inc. [Sept. 5, 2018] SGIPOS 16, Monster (the opponent) unsuccessfully opposed registration of NBA’s (the applicant’s) composite mark comprising a circular device bearing the words TORONTO RAPTORS at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). The opponent relied on its claw device  and composite device against NBA’s application. […]