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Dr. Martens v. Shein: Dr. Martens returns to court in a post-settlement trademark dispute
On 2 May 2025, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Airwair International Ltd v. Zoetop Business Co. Ltd allowing key claims to proceed in a trademark dispute involving the Dr. Martens brand and Shein. The decision follows Airwair’s allegations that Zoetop, Shein’s parent company, breached a…
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Louis Vuitton Secures Dismissal of Pocket Socks’ Claims in Trademark Dispute
On 29 April 2025, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California granted Louis Vuitton North America, Inc.’s motion to dismiss all claims brought by Pocket Socks, Inc. The court found that the complaint lacked sufficient factual detail to establish a realistic likelihood of consumer confusion and failed to define the claimed…
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Scentologia vs. Scentology: UKIPO’s Analysis of Visual, Aural, and Conceptual Similarity
On 17 April 2025, the UK Intellectual Property Office issued its decision in the opposition proceedings brought by Inensa SA against GDS Prestige (FZC)’s application to register the mark Scentologia. The opposition was based on Section 5(2)(b) of the Trade Marks Act 1994, relying on Inensa SA’s earlier registered mark Scentology. This article outlines the…
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Levi Strauss v. Gear Up International: Use of Curved Line Device Would Take Unfair Advantage of Levi’s Mark
On 29 April 2025, the EUIPO issued its decision in Levi Strauss & Co v. Gear Up International Ltd, partially upholding Levi Strauss’s opposition to a figurative trade mark application filed by Gear Up. The contested sign, consisting of two curved lines converging at a pointed centre, was found to create a mental association with…
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COCO v. COCOSTEAM: Chanel Wins EUIPO Opposition
In a decision dated 14 April 2025, the Opposition Division of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) upheld Chanel’s opposition against the European Union trade mark application for COCOSTEAM. The decision provides a clear application of the fundamental principles governing the assessment of likelihood of confusion under Article 8(1)(b) EUTMR, particularly where an earlier…
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Rolex v. Laulex: Reputation as a Basis for Refusal
On 7 February 2025, the EUIPO Opposition Division upheld an opposition filed by Rolex S.A. against a figurative European Union trade mark (EUTM) application for “Laulex”, rejecting the application in its entirety under Article 8(5) EUTMR. This decision confirms the strength of reputation-based protection within EU trade mark law and illustrates the threshold at which…
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POLO v. POLO REALE: A Closer Look at the EU Trademark Opposition
On April 7, 2025, the Opposition Division of the European Union Intellectual Property Office delivered a significant ruling in a dispute between The Polo/Lauren Company L.P., the renowned American luxury brand, and Prime Cotton FZ-LCC from the UAE. The opposition concerned trademark application No 18 979 833 for the ‘POLO REALE’ figurative mark. This ruling…
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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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Lux Juris Internship Opportunity
We are looking for students from anywhere in the world who want to explore the legal side of fashion and luxury. This is a virtual internship for those ready to go deep into fashion law, with a clear focus on intellectual property. You will be involved in assisting with legal research, supporting the editor, and…
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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…