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If you are looking for practical insights and intelligence on design law in different jurisdictions, the International Comparative Legal Guide published by glg Global Legal Group is a valuable source of information.

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The reform of the EU trademark system has been ongoing since 2008 and is finally ready for publication. The updated rules aim for a more efficient and cost effective trademark registration process. The dual system of national and EU trademarks covering all 28 member states is retained, whilst national and EU trademark registration procedures are streamlined and further harmonized. The trademark reform package includes amendments to Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 on the Community trademark and the adoption of a new Directive to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trademarks. European Parliament adopted the new laws without any amendments to the Council’s position in first reading.
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  The mini seminar will be held in German. Paralegals have vastly different responsibilities around the globe. Join us for a discussion on
  • an update from the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) as well as
  • the role and challenges of a paralegal working outside your country at another office and how to use this to enhance your career
  • the challenges and views on running a trademark portfolio in-house
  • what you need to know about preliminary injunction proceedings (PI’s) in trademark cases in Germany

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The General Court (EGC) held that as the marks were phonetically identical and visually and conceptually similar they should be regarded as similar overall. Followed from this it was held that the mark at issue could be perceived by the relevant public as originating from the same undertaking or undertakings economically linked to the earlier word mark.
The General Court (EGC) dismissed HP’s appeals in both cases and confirmed that the Community Trademarks (CTM) ELITEDISPLAY and ELITEPAD are descriptive for the goods in respect of which registrations were sought (Judgments dated 22 October 2015; Cases T-470/14 and T
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The World Customs Organization (WCO) was established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC). It is an independent intergovernmental body with a mission to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations. It is the only international organization with competence in customs matters.
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The General Court (EGC) upheld the decision by the Board of Appeal (BoA) regarding the invalidity proceedings in respect of the Yves Saint Laurent SAS (YSL) registered Community designs (RCD) 000613294-0001 and 000613294-0002. The EGC held that the contested designs had individual character with respect to the H&M’s prior design and therefore rejected the applications for a declaration of invalidity. (Cases T-525/13 and T-526/13, Judgment of 10 September 2015) Background of the case and subject matter
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From 31 October 2015 the Madrid System operates as a single treaty system and the Protocol governs all the designations in the International Register.  All new international applications shall be filed using the MM2 International Application form. On 31 October 2015, the Madrid Protocol entered into force in Algeria, which was the last remaining Contracting Party of the Madrid Union to be a member of the Madrid Agreement only. Following the entry into force of the Madrid Protocol in Algeria, the Protocol will apply in the relationships between all the Contracting Parties of the Madrid Union.  Therefore, all Madrid System users will benefit from the flexibilities and features of the Protocol. Key features of the Protocol now available to all users:
  • Filing of international applications based on national/regional applications or registrations, via a single form (MM2)
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Interbrand was founded by John Murphy in 1974 as one of the first brand consultancy companies. Meanwhile, it has approximately 31 offices in 27 countries and is one of the largest and oldest brand consultancy companies around the world. Every year, Interbrand conducts and publishes various studies relating to brands, their value and the impact on companies and consumers. Interbrand’s 16th annual Best Global Brands Report was released on 5 October 2015.