On March 29, 2016, the High Court of Singapore overturned the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore’s (IPOS’s) decision to refuse registration of Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd’s mark CAESARSTONE for goods in Class 19. Appellant’s Mark Respondent’s Mark The respondent, Ceramiche Caesar SpA, had a prior registration in Class 19 for goods including […]
Publications
Laos IP Policy, Trademark Legislation: DIP Begins Accepting Multi-Class Applications
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of Laos began accepting multi-class applications as of February 1, 2016. On December 20, 2011, the DIP announced that Article 33 of the Intellectual Property Law of Laos would be revised to allow the filing of more than […]
Thailand Trademark Legislation: Amends Act
Amendments to the Thailand Trademark Act will take effect on 28 July 2016. The amended Act introduces amendments to the trademark registration process, extends its protective scope and revises the applicable deadlines and fees. A summary of the amendments to the Trademark Act is described in the table below: Changes Before After Amendment on 28 […]
Singapore - Patentable Subject Matter Clarified
After taking into consideration feedback from patent practitioners and policies of foreign patent offices that are relevant to Singapore, the Intellectual Property Office of the Singapore (IPOS) has released a revised version of the Examination Guidelines for Patent Applications, which contains amendments to the section concerning patentable subject matter. The guidelines state that the assessment […]
Vietnam - Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Commences in April 2016 for Japanese Patent Applications
Japan and Vietnam implemented a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program that took effect on 01 April 2016. In 2014, approximately 50% of the total filed applications at the NOIP remained pending and unexamined. To facilitate the reduction of backlog at NOIP and expedite the patent examination process, NOIP signed its first Patent Prosecution Highway […]
Myanmar Update : Trademark Practice
With significant changes in the political landscape of Myanmar (also known as Burma), there are similar expectations for corresponding changes in the economic and business practices as well. This further affects the expectations of IP holders to better protect their rights in this country. Currently, Myanmar is working with the World Intellectual Property office (WIPO) […]
Plagiarism in Advertising Law in Singapore
Advertising agencies that make imitation or adaptation of work of others are producing what is illegal, therefore immoral and unethical. In a recent case, Dentsu Utama, a Malaysian advertising agency, was accused of plagiarizing the artwork of British designer, Tom Anders. The ad agency however, has vehemently defended these accusations. The artwork by Dentsu Utama […]
Indonesia - Understanding Patent Abandonment Rules
When a patent owner desires to abandon a patent, usually they simply do so by non-action, i.e. by stopping payment of the annuity fees. However, the same may not be true in Indonesia, and this has now become one of the most debated subjects among IP practitioners in this territory. The relevant provisions are Articles […]
Singapore : Star” Wars: Converse v. Jazz
In a recent hearing at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), Converse Inc. (the opponent) failed in its attempt to prevent the registration of Trade Mark Application No. T0705265E (the application mark) in Class 25, filed by Southern Rubber Works Sdn Bhd (the applicant). The application mark is reproduced on this page along with […]
Stringent Time Limits for Submitting Formal Documents in Thailand
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of Thailand has imposed a more stringent time limit for submitting formal documents for patent applications effective 21 July 2015. Previously, patent applicants were allowed to file two 90-day extension requests, followed by a final 30-day extension request for submitting a notarized Power of Attorney, a Deed of Assignment […]