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On 21 September 2019, over six million people descended on Munich to attend Oktoberfest, the world’s largest Volksfest (beer festival and travelling funfair). Oktoberfest is also known as Wiesn, the common name for fairgrounds. Part of Bavarian culture since 1810, Oktoberfest is …

The scale of counterfeit medicines shocks even the most experienced border and law enforcement professionals.  

China does everything on a grand scale and the size and strength of its biggest companies are no exception. Three out of the ten top companies in the world are Chinese (the USA and UK hold two each). China also has two of the world’s largest airlines (China Southern Airlines and …

“It doesn't matter whether a cat is white or black, as long as it catches mice” - Deng Xiaoping

The digital world that we live in today has led to the wide availability and use of a mind-boggling amount of digital tools. These tools are used to communicate on the Internet, smart devices and through other technologies, enabling businesses to seamlessly extend their reach all…

The Vienna Agreement was concluded in Vienna in 1973 and amended in 1985. It establishes a classification (the Vienna Classification) for marks that consist of, or contain, figurative elements. It is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Did you know that works subject to copyright protection can theoretically also be used as trademark signs? In most countries artistic work, a title of a book, or even a character name, can be used as a trademark - unless it falls under the provision of “descriptiveness and distin…

Publicly traded companies spend on average 11% of their annual budget on marketing. The Gartner Research study which provided this figure states:

There have been some significant trademark disputes hitting the headlines in the last twelve months. In April 2019, lawyers for Erik Brunetti, owner of the popular brand FUCT, challenged the provisions of federal law that allows for “immoral or scandalous matter” to be refused tr…

Everyone loves a bargain. There is something very satisfying about saying “I got it for only (fill in the cheap price)” when someone compliments you on your sassy new shoes or bag. And with the trade in counterfeit goods valued at US$917 billion a year, it is understandable that …