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Lost International v. Lady Gaga: A Trademark Infringement Dispute over “Mayhem”
The case of Lost International v. Lady Gaga, pending before the United States District Court for the Central District of California, centres on allegations of trademark infringement involving the use of the mark “Mayhem.” The plaintiff, a long-established surf and lifestyle brand, asserts that Lady Gaga’s commercial use of the word “Mayhem” in connection with…
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Dior’s Victory: EUIPO Rejects CRISPY DYOR Following Opposition
On 25 March 2025, the EUIPO confirmed Christian Dior Couture’s challenge by rejecting the application for CRISPY DYOR in its entirety. The decision was based solely on the similarities between the contested word mark and Dior’s established figurative mark, rather than on any reputation-based arguments. The contested sign covered jewellery and clothing, which were found…
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Supreme Wins EUIPO Opposition Against ‘Supins’ Mark
Supreme has succeeded in a recent trademark opposition before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), securing a full rejection of a rival application that bore similarities to its well-known branding. On 8 April 2025, the EUIPO’s Opposition Division ruled in favour of Chapter 4 Corp., the owner of the Supreme brand, in a case…
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Chanel’s “N° 5” v M5: How Close Is Too Close?
In a decision issued on 20 March 2025 by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), a dispute between Chanel and the Slovenian company Simb d.o.o., over its “m5” trademark, highlighted the fine line between brand identity and imitation in the beauty industry. The case focused on a figurative trademark applied for by Simb d.o.o.,…
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Mercedes-Benz Off-Road Logo Fails Trade Mark Test in EUIPO
On 19 March 2025, the General Court of the European Union ruled in Case T-400/24, rejecting Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s application to register a figurative trade mark representing an ascending off-road vehicle. The decision, based on Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001, confirmed that the mark lacked distinctive character and could not be registered. Background to…
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Patagonia Takes Legal Action Against Marden’s Over Counterfeit Goods
Patagonia Inc. filed a lawsuit on March 18, 2025, against Marden’s, a discount retail chain in Maine, alleging trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, unfair competition, dilution, and copyright infringement. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, claims that Marden’s has been selling counterfeit Patagonia-branded jackets featuring unauthorised reproductions of…
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Richemont Fails to Prove Parasitism as Court Sides with Louis Vuitton
On 5 March 2025, the French Court of Cassation ruled in favour of Louis Vuitton, dismissing an appeal brought by Richemont, the group that owns Van Cleef & Arpels, which claimed that Louis Vuitton’s design imitated a 1968 jewellery motif widely associated with the Alhambra collection. The dispute centred on whether Louis Vuitton’s Colour Blossom…
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Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH vs. EUIPO: Glashütte ORIGINAL’s Trademark Rejection Explained
On December 11, 2024, the First Chamber of the General Court issued a significant ruling in a trademark dispute involving Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH in Glashütte, Germany, and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The core of the case revolves around the company’s application to register a figurative trademark for Glashütte ORIGINAL. However, the application faced…
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Kokito I Punt vs. The French Football Federation: General Court Rules on Trademark Dispute
On January 15, 2025, the Third Chamber of the General Court delivered a pivotal ruling in the trademark dispute between Kokito I Punt, SL and the Fédération Française de Football (FFF). The case revolves around a trademark application featuring a stylized rooster submitted by Kokito I Punt, SL. The FFF raised objections, claiming the rooster…