Category Archives: Trademark

In a surprising ruling by the Federal Supreme Court of Germany (BGH) recently, well known German chocolate brand, Ritter Sport (“Ritter”) won exclusive rights to square packaging for its chocolates. The Court rejected the appeal by competitor Milka, a Swiss chocolate company that had been trying for almost a decade to challenge Ritter’s trademark protection for shape. Decision and Reasoning The Judges held that the square shape of the bar was not functional as it did not add any essential…

SpicyIP Weekly Review (July 27 – August 2)

by Adyasha Samal August 3, 2020

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Topical Highlight What’s in a Stream? The Confounding Case of IPRS’s Live-Streaming Tariffs Divij wrote about the confusion created by Indian Performing Rights Society’s newly released tariff scheme for live streaming of online events and live/disc-jockey performances. He first discusses the problems with the scope of the notice which defines ‘live performance’ as music by performers in person, and disc jockeys as playing of a sound recording. He then explains the lack of clarity as to whether digital streaming of…

Trademark

What Kind of Trademark is ‘Make in India’? A Brief Academic Inquiry

by SpicyIP July 28, 2020

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We’re pleased to bring you a thought provoking post from Dr. Sunanda Bharti, on the ‘Make in India’ trademark. In this post, Sunanda examines the now famous ‘Make in India’ mark and raises the question of whether it actually acts more like a certification trademark. Sunanda is an Assistant Professor in Law at Delhi University and has written several guest posts for us, which can be viewed here. What Kind of Trademark is ‘Make in India’? A Brief Academic Inquiry…

SpicyIP Weekly Review (July 20 – 26)

by Namratha Murugeshan July 27, 2020

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Topical Highlight Does JioMeet’s GUI Infringe Copyright in Zoom’s Software? Nikhil wrote about the controversy of JioMeet’s GUI infringing Zoom’s software. Addressing the controversy that ensued after JioMeet was released, the issue of non-literal copying of computer software is examined. Nikhil explores the primary considerations that courts would need to address on the issue and the possible outcomes. First, the copyrightability of Zoom’s GUI is analyzed under Section 2(o) and Section 2(ffc) of the Copyright Act. Then, the particular elements…

Trademark

Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Trademark Law: How Freely Can Imagination Run?

by SpicyIP July 22, 2020

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We’re pleased to bring to you a guest post by Bhavya Solanki and Medha Bhatt, discussing the applicability of the fair use provisions of trademark law to unauthorised use of trademarks in the virtual world. Bhavya and Medha are 2nd year students at Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Trademark Law: How Freely Can Imagination Run? Bhavya Solanki & Medha Bhatt Technologies like Virtual Reality (‘VR’) and Augmented reality (‘AR’) are witnessing a…

SpicyIP Weekly Review (July 13 – 19)

by Anupriya Dhonchak July 20, 2020

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Topical Highlight Bombay HC Clarifies Nature of Reliefs Applicable in Cybersquatting Disputes Divij wrote a post about a refreshing order and judgment delivered by the Bombay High Court recently in the case of Hindustan Unilever v. Endurance Domain and Ors. The Court held that the finding of cybersquatting and fraudulent behaviour was uncontroversial but HUL’s prayer to direct domain name registrars “to suspend and ensure the continued suspension of and block access to (…) Fraudulent Domain Name(s)” could not be granted. This conclusion…

Trademark

Bombay HC Clarifies Nature of Reliefs Applicable in Cybersquatting Disputes

by Divij Joshi July 17, 2020

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In an interesting and important order and judgement delivered by Justice Gautam Patel, the Bombay High Court has shed some clarity on the nature of reliefs applicable in domain name cybersquatting disputes – disputes relating to the wrongful or fraudulent use of trademarks as domain names. The order dated June 12, in Hindustan Unilever v. Endurance Domain and Ors. is available here. In brief, the court held that domain name registrars can not be expected to ‘block access’ to a…

Trademark

Delhi HC Refuses Interim Injunction against Use of Acronym ‘TCV’ for a Typhoid Vaccine: Leaves Acquired Distinctiveness Question Unanswered?

by SpicyIP July 14, 2020

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We’re pleased to bring to you a guest post by Devangini Rai, analysing a recent Delhi High Court order that refused to grant an interim injunction against the use of the acronym ‘TCV’ in relation to a typhoid vaccine. Devangini is a 5th Year student at University School of Law and Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi. Delhi HC Refuses Interim Injunction against Use of Trademark ‘TCV’ for a Typhoid Vaccine: Leaves Acquired Distinctiveness Question…

SpicyIP Weekly Review (July 6 – 12)

by Namratha Murugeshan July 13, 2020

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Topical Highlight Telegram Copyright Infringement Case: India’s Chance to Seek Inspiration from Foreign Principles In a guest post, Abhishek Iyer discussed the issue of intermediary liability in light of the Telegram copyright infringement case. The post first discusses the burden of knowledge with respect to e-notices to understand Telegram’s liability given the requirement of ‘specific and actual knowledge’ of intermediaries with respect to infringement of copyrighted material. The doctrine of inducement used in US Courts is discussed to determine Telegram’s…

Trademark

From Iancu v. Brunetti to Constantin Film: Should Morality Interfere with Trademark law?

by SpicyIP July 10, 2020

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We’re pleased to bring to you a guest post by our fellowship applicant, Adyasha Samal. Adyasha is a 4th year student at Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur. This is her first submission for the Fellowship. In this post, she explores issues relating to morality based prohibitions in trademark law in light of the Court of Justice of the European Union’s decision permitting the registration of the ‘Fack Ju Göhte’ mark earlier this year. We’ve had several posts on the issue of…