Worldwide: Trademark

A Taiwan Intellectual Property Office decision demonstrates how trade mark protection applies to stylised single-letter devices when an earlier mark has gained substantial recognition through extensive use. The case examines Netflix's opposition to a similar stylised 'M' mark and explores the balance between protecting established brand identity and allowing traders to develop their own marks.

In today’s knowledge-driven economy, intangible assets are becoming central to enterprise value creation. Beyond traditional physical assets, intellectual property (“IP”) rights, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights, now serve as key drivers of competitive advantage, revenue generation, and market positioning. For consumer-facing businesses in particular, trademarks embody brand identity, customer loyalty, and goodwill, often representing a significant portion of a company’s economic or enterprise value.

Major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have registered their chatbot names as trademarks, and businesses across retail and financial sectors are following suit. Should your customer-facing chatbot receive the same legal protection before competitors claim similar names in your industry?

OAPI rejected Agence France-Presse's opposition against the "AFO + Logo" mark, finding that similarities between the signs were insufficient to create a likelihood of confusion despite overlapping service classes. The decision provides insight into OAPI's approach to trademark opposition and remains subject to appeal.

South African law enables trade mark owners to challenge conflicting company names immediately upon registration, long before any actual trading occurs. Understanding the interaction between the Companies Act and Trade Marks Act reveals how early intervention can prevent brand confusion, protect market position, and avoid costly enforcement battles down the line.

Morocco's industrial property statistics reveal significant increases in trademark applications, industrial designs, and patent filings during the first half of 2026. The data demonstrates growing commercial activity across pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and technology sectors, while universities drive nearly half of domestic patent applications.

Explore eight compelling intellectual property cases and developments, from a single patent generating $229 million in royalties to major brand disputes between 7-Eleven and Nike, pharmaceutical advertising battles...

Instagram's viral colour-swatch trend has brands proving their visual identity without logos or names—but does consumer recognition translate into legal protection? This analysis explores whether colour alone can function as a trade mark under South African law, examining the high evidential threshold required and lessons from landmark disputes involving Cadbury's purple and Louboutin's red sole.

Mauritius has enacted domestic legislation implementing its obligations under the Harare Protocol, following its accession to ARIPO effective 27 August 2025. The Industrial Property Act 2019 has been amended to establish how ARIPO-granted patents, utility models and industrial designs will operate within Mauritian law. These amendments confirm that ARIPO rights designating Mauritius will automatically enjoy domestic protection equivalent to nationally granted rights.