Knowledge
“If one is a master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has at the same time insight into and understanding of many things“– Vincent Van Gogh
The team at Virtuoso Legal are continually reviewing the field of intellectual property for impactful news and meaningful changes.
As a forward-thinking law firm, we seek in any given moment to be able to offer cutting-edge advice that reflects the constantly shifting status of the law.
As part of this process we produce weekly “IP Insights”, which catalogue significant changes in IP and their significance.
By Martin Douglas Hendry
24/02/20
Liam Hemsworth sued for using paparazzi picture to promote film In December, Liam Hemsworth became the latest celebrity to fall victim to a copyright infringement claim, having shared paparazzi photographs of himself on Instagram. Splash News and Picture Agency are seeking $150,000 per infringement due to the actor posting a series of images to promote…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
03/02/20
2020 is well and truly underway, and there hasn't been a lull in proceedings! The same can be said for the world of IP. In this IP Top 10 we look at some of the developments slightly off the beaten track, which give an indication of IP's broader impact on the world at large. The big stories in this month's edition…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
29/01/20
Warner Music UK Ltd & Ors v Tunein Inc [2019] EWHC 2923 (Ch) (01 November 2019) Background On 1 November 2019, Justice Birss gave his decision in the case of Warner Music UK Ltd & Ors v Tunein Inc [2019] EWHC 2923 (Ch). This was a test case concerning copyright and the internet and how the copyright…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
20/01/20
Background This IP insight highlights how difficult it can be to uphold and enforce a Registered Design by exploring the recent case of Shnuggle Ltd v (1) Munchkin Inc. (2) Lindam Ltd. This case was held in the IPEC before HHJ Melissa Clarke and served to limit the scope of a registered design – to the colour…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
16/01/20
Unless you’ve been proverbially “living under a rock” for the past week or so, you’ve probably heard that Prince Harry and Princess Meghan have announced that they will be stepping away from formal Royal duties in the coming years. This has caused some consternation in various ranks (to say the least). Simply put, it’s taken…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
06/01/20
What do “Roquefort”, “Tequila” and “Champagne” have in common? First of all, yes – they’re all valuable brands. But these names are also used in marketing and strategic campaigns to exclusively differentiate: blue cheese from blue cheese made in a certain part of France sparkling white wine from sparkling wine made in a certain part…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
19/12/19
Smells like Mean Spirit November saw Marc Jacobs retaliate to a copyright infringement claim from Nirvana L.L.C, attacking the validity of their claim in copyright for the band’s infamous smiley face logo. Nirvana L.L.C initially sought over $1 million dollars in damages, alleging that Jacobs’ ‘Bootleg Redux Grunge’ collection had replicated the symbol purportedly designed by…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
27/11/19
Blizzard Entertainment SAS v Bossland GmbH [2019] Background On 4 July 2019, Deputy Master Bowles gave his decision relating to accounts of profits arising from Blizzard’s dispute with Bossland regarding Bossland and its directors’ copyright infringement, procurement and inducement of users to breach their agreements. Blizzard is a well-known company in the gaming industry. Blizzard…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
18/11/19
An unlikely complaint this week from Mel B has once again shone a light on the murky legal situation surrounding image rights (or lack of) within the United Kingdom. This latest controversy has typified the confusion surrounding the current state of affairs, in which legitimate copyright licencing is offset against a web of associated legal…
By Martin Douglas Hendry
11/11/19
October has been and gone in the flash of an eye! With the spookiest month of the year came a range of scary IP stories (depending on which side of the dispute you are on). Here, in our IP Top 10 are those which caught our eye… TikTok uptick ticks off NMPA In the…
By virtuoso
08/10/19
LFC Attempt to Trade Mark “LIVERPOOL” Fails The Independent (and many others) report that Liverpool FC’s controversial attempt to register the mark ‘LIVERPOOL’ has failed after the application was rejected by the Intellectual Property Office. The club attempted to register the mark ‘in the context of football products and services’, in an effort to combat…
By virtuoso
06/10/19
Following lengthy proceedings, on the 28th June 2019 the Dutch Supreme Court declared the Capri Sun shape mark invalid in the Benelux on the basis that the essential characteristics of the mark were determined by technical effect. The ruling deals a considerable blow to the Swiss drinks giant, who had initially sought to launch proceedings…
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