Ferrero S.p.A. (the applicant) applied to register a 3D mark in Class 30 (under International Registration number 1199758) in Singapore (Trade Mark No. T1406403E) (application mark). The mark was described as “a coordinated packaging design, consisting of a crinkled gold foil spherical wrapping, in a brown pleated designed cup-holder with two gold lines. The combination […]
Publications
Singapore: Heightened Novelty Check for Registered Design Applications
In Circular No. 1/2019 published on 5 April 2019 and a follow up Circular No. 4/2019 published on 29 November 2019, the Intellectual Property Office in Singapore (IPOS) indicated that they have heightened their check on the declaration of novelty in registered design applications. A registered design application that is not new or does not […]
SINGAPORE: Protection Against Cybersquatters Affirmed as a Matter of Public Policy
In the case of 3 Corporate Services Pte. Ltd. (the plaintiff) against Grabtaxi Holdings Pte. Ltd. (the defendant), decided on January 22, 2020 ([2020] SGHC 17), the High Court of Singapore made it clear that a cybersquatter cannot enforce an otherwise valid contract as a matter of public policy. After an initial discussion on the […]
Singapore: Applications for declaration of invalidity against trademark registrations Microarch, Sentalloy and Bioforce
This matter involved three invalidation proceedings instituted by Dentsply Sirona, Inc. (the applicant) against Trade Mark Registration Nos. T1301268F for the mark “Microarch”, T1301266Z for the mark “Sentalloy”, and T1301267H for the mark “Bioforce” (collectively, the subject marks) that were registered in the name of Tomy Incorporated (the proprietor). The applicant sought to invalidate the […]
UPDATES TO THE TRADEMARK REGISTRY’S CLASSIFICATION PRACTICES – SERVICE CLASSES
(Circular No. 1/2020, dated 06 January 2020) An update on the classification practices on a number of descriptions/specifications pertaining to service classes was recently announced by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) vide Circular No. 1/2020 dated 6 January 2020. This circular is effective immediately and supersedes directions under previous circulars, affecting retail services; […]
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alumni club of Harvard University (formed by the president and fellows of Harvard College (applicant)) whose status was revoked by the applicant due to issues concerning leadership of the club.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: Principal Assistant Registrar Clarifies ‘Genuine Use’ for Purposes of Maintaining a Registered Trademark
Aussino (USA) Inc. (proprietor) owned the AUSSINO trademark registered under No. T9910601C in Class 24 in Singapore since 1999 (trademark). On July 24, 2018, Aussino International Pte Ltd (applicant) applied to revoke the trademark under Section 22(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act, alleging that it had not been used from July 2013 to July 2018. […]
CAMBODIA: Foreign Geographical Indications Welcomed in Cambodia
Champagne, a sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the French region of the same name, and one of France’s most famous products, became the first foreign product to be awarded geographical indication (GI) status in Cambodia on April 29, 2019. This was followed closely by Scotch whisky, which is distilled and matured in Scotland […]
Singapore: Recent Decisions of the Personal Data Protection Commission
The Personal Data Protection Commission (‘PDPC’) carried out certain investigations recently under Section 50(1) of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (‘PDPA’), and subsequently issued a warning and financial penalty on the respective errant entities below: L’Oréal Singapore Pte. Ltd., Case No. DP-1812-B3091 L’Oréal Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“L’Oréal”) operated a website which had a login […]
How Start-Ups are Safeguarding against Hazardous Data Privacy Issues
As the digital economy expands at a rapid pace, companies continue to collect massive amounts of data and have come to be more dependent on this data to fuel their businesses. From e-commerce firms to healthtech firms, reams of data amassed from consumers are being used to better their offering of products and services. With […]