Novelty and inventive step are the essential requirements for the grant of a patent . In an interesting development, the High Court of Delhi, in Avery Dennison Corporation v. Controller of Patents and Designs, CA. 29/2021, has reiterated that the simplicity of an invention should not deter the grant of a patent. Factual matrix: An […]
SINGAPORE: Visual Similarity Wins High Court Judgment for Twitter
This decision from the High Court in Singapore, issued on November 23, 2022, illustrates the delicate balance a tribunal must undertake when assessing the similarity between two device marks. The High Court in Singapore set out the proper approach to understanding and applying the concepts of distinctiveness, and visual and conceptual similarity. VV Technology appealed […]
Overview of Thai PDPC’s Notification and Guidelines on Data Breaches
The Notification on the Criteria and Procedures for Handling Personal Data Breaches (the “Notification”) was issued by the Personal Data Protection Committee (“PDPC”) of Thailand and enacted on December 15, 2022. The notification included a breach assessment guideline and breach notification version 1.0 for data controllers and data processors to assess the level of risk […]
Swatch AG v. Apple Inc.
This decision serves as a reminder that when opposing a trademark on bad faith, opponents and their lawyers should remain disciplined in crafting pleadings and submissions. Swatch opposed the registration of the word mark “THINK DIFFERENT” (application mark), which Apple applied for on September 12, 2018, in Class 9, alleging that Apple applied for the […]
Indonesia – Launch of Automatic Approval of Trademark Renewal
The Automatic Approval for Trademark Renewal (“POP Merek”) was launched by the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) on 30 October 2022. POP Merek simplifies the renewal process of trademark, and renewal applications meeting the formality requirements can expect to receive approval and renewal certificates within ten (10) minutes, as opposed to two (2) to […]
SINGAPORE: No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk
This decision recaps and applies the case law surrounding the marks-similarity enquiry. A2 filed a consolidated opposition against Nestlé’s trademarks (Trademark Application No. 40201926155W) and (Trademark Application No. 40201907176S) (collectively, the Application Marks), relying on A2’s own registered trademarks for . A2 unsuccessfully argued that a likelihood of confusion would arise between A2’s trademarks and the Application Marks, […]
Philippines – Revision in Patent Rules
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued a Memorandum Circular No. 2022-016 on “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs of 2022” (IRR’2022) which took effect from 20 September 2022. A summary of the relevant amendments to the Rules and Regulations on patents are highlighted as follows. 1. […]
Singapore Patent – Obviousness of Error
A recent decision of the High Court of Singapore has set a precedent for correcting data included in a specification of an application for a patent. In an appeal case between Nippon Shinyaku Co, Ltd and the Registrar of Patents, the High Court has reversed the decision of the Registrar rejecting a proposed correction to […]
SINGAPORE: TATA SONS Loses Trademark Challenge for Lack of Confusion
When the proprietor of an earlier trademark has established goodwill in a different industry from a competing trademark, it is less likely that confusion can be established under the Trade Marks Act, that is, that using a newer trademark would indicate a connection between the applicant’s goods and services and those of the earlier mark’s […]
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 […]