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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…
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Adidas vs Fashion Nova: The Fight Over Stripes Returns to Court
Adidas vs Fashion Nova has resurfaced as Adidas files a new lawsuit alleging that Fashion Nova violated the terms of a 2022 settlement agreement concerning its Three Stripe trademark. The complaint, filed on March 4, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, includes claims of trademark infringement, breach of contract,…
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Hermès’ “H” in Question: The Legal Standard for Genuine Use
Hermès International, known for its luxury goods, sought to protect its figurative trademark through an International Registration designating the EU. This trademark covers a range of items in Class 25, including clothing, footwear, and accessories. The application was made on September 8, 2016, but the situation turned into a legal tug-of-war when Markus Bennemann filed…