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 […]
Publications
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alumni club of Harvard University (formed by the president and fellows of Harvard College (applicant)) whose status was revoked by the applicant due to issues concerning leadership of the club.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 […]
India Update - Patent Infringement
An action for patent infringement in India is not maintainable during the pendency of an appeal against an order revoking the patent. In Novartis AG & Anr. V. Natco Pharma Limited CS (COMM) 229/2019 and I.As. 11304/2019, 11305/2019, the Delhi High Court (the ‘Court’) has clarified that an action for infringement is not maintainable in […]
Singapore Broadens IP links with Japan, China, Russia and Laos
IPOS International (“IPOSI”), the expertise and enterprise engagement arm of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Japan’s Industrial Property Cooperation Center (IPCC). The MOU envisages providing enhanced patent search and analytical capabilities in both the Japanese and Chinese languages to benefit enterprises in Japan and Singapore […]
SINGAPORE: Registrar Strikes Down Opposition in ‘Minterest’ Case
Minterest Private Limited (applicant) applied to register the trademark MINTEREST (application mark) in Class 36 in Singapore (Singapore Trade Mark No. 40201707514X). The application mark was accepted for publication and was opposed by Intuit Inc. (opponent). The opponent relied on Sections 8(2)(b) and 8(7)(a) of the Trade Marks Act (TMA) in its opposition against the […]