Novagraaf Nederlands English Français Home Services Novagraaf Our people News Downloads Vacancies Contact IP Tools News and actualities See all news... Caution: misleading letters and false invoices trademark authorities 9/12/2014 Unfortunately, trademark owners are frequently approached by companies that pretend to be an official authority, for example through... Read more... Volvo versus Lovol 9/12/2014 Car manufacturer VOLVO tried to prevent the application of two figurative signs containing the word LOVOL for agricultural machines and... Read more... The Bimbo Doughnuts case 9/12/2014 The Spanish company Bimbo SA applied for a so-called Community Trademark for BIMBO DOUGHNUTS at OHIM, the European trademarks and designs... Read more... The Rubik’s Cube shape mark is valid 8/12/2014 The registration of the shape of the Rubik’s Cube as a Community Trademark is valid. The General Court of the European Union (hereafter: the... Read more... The Novagraaf Holiday Puzzle - join in & win an e-reader! 8/12/2014 It's December. We hope you can find the time around Christmas to enjoy a wonderful holiday season. To make sure our brains are not on... Read more... The red sole saga continues 25/11/2014 Christian Louboutin has emerged victorious in its battle against Dutch shoe retailer Van Dalen: the Court of Appeal in Brussels, Belgium, has... Read more... Interflora v M&S: the dispute continues 17/11/2014 On 5 November 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled on the ongoing dispute between florist Interflora and high-street retailer Marks & Spencer... Read more... New procedures announced by OHIM 13/11/2014 OHIM, the European Union agency responsible for the Community trademark (CTM), will implement two changes with effect from 24 November 2014. Read more... ECJ finds bicycle and horse to be confusingly similar 11/11/2014 Does a figurative mark representing a boy on a bicycle holding a mallet infringe the well-known polo player trademark of The Polo/Lauren... Read more... The case of Sherlock Holmes comes to an end 10/11/2014 US Supreme Court declines to hear an appeal by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about whether authors owe fees for using famed detective. Read more... First steps to exporting: IP considerations explained 3/11/2014 Novagraaf UK’s Dr Peter Wilson sets out the IP elements to consider when developing or updating an export strategy. Read more... City Council seeks to protect the ‘Birmingham Balti’ 3/11/2014 News that The Midlands’ favourite curry is heading for legally recognised status reinforces the value of registering regional dishes as... Read more... Red Bull and the requirement for genuine use 27/10/2014 The Dutch Court of Appeal found in Lamborghini’s favour earlier this month in a case that pitted the luxury car manufacturer against energy... Read more... Embedding a YouTube video does not infringe copyright 27/10/2014 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that embedding a copyrighted YouTube video on a website does not constitute copyright infringement. Read more... Trademark watching: the how and the why 27/10/2014 Novagraaf UK’s Helene Whelbourn on the benefits of introducing a trademark watching programme for key corporate brands. Read more... Novagraaf UK patent and trademark practices recommended in Legal 500 14/10/2014 The patent and trademark practices of Intellectual Property (IP) consultancy Novagraaf UK have been recognised for their expertise in the 2014... Read more... The sound of silence: Beats and Bose settle headphone patent dispute 13/10/2014 Infringement suit brought by audio equipment manufacturer Bose in July accused Beats of copying five of its patents for noise-cancelling... Read more... Deadmau5 ears get Disney’s attention 13/10/2014 For a decade, Canadian DJ Joel Thomas Zimmerman, aka Deadmau5, has performed onstage in a suit featuring big mouse ears. But, his attempt to... Read more... Rappers battle over copyright to word ‘oh’ 13/10/2014 Is the word ‘oh’ protectable by copyright? Yes, according to record label TufAmerica. It has filed a lawsuit against rapper Jay Z because... Read more... Social media threat as counterfeiting continues to grow 13/10/2014 The IP Crime Report 2013/14 reveals that social media has overtaken auction sites as the lead channel for counterfeit activity. Read more... Stay informed of new domain name extensions (gTLDs) 30/09/2014 Hundreds of new domain name extensions (generic Top-Level Domain names or ‘gTLDs’) are being launched in the next couple of months. By... Read more... Preparing for an IPO? Don’t overlook your IP assets 29/09/2014 IP isn’t always the first priority for a business preparing for an initial public offering (IPO); however, the sooner you start thinking... Read more... 1 October: changes to UK design and patent law come into force 29/09/2014 This week sees the introduction of a number of changes to design and patent law practice in the UK. Read more... Valuing intangibles: the role of IP in mergers and acquisitions 16/09/2014 A well-maintained IP portfolio and, just as importantly, a well-maintained record of the IP portfolio can add significant value to a company... Read more... Countdown to .vlaanderen and .brussels 16/09/2014 Two new top-level domains are due to enter their second phase of registration next month: the .vlaanderen and .brussels domain names. Phase... Read more... UK changes to design law and practice (from 1 October) 15/09/2014 The UK’s new Intellectual Property Act 2014 has wide-ranging implications for design and patent law and practice, many of which will apply... Read more... Led Zeppelin in copyright dispute over ‘Stairway to Heaven’ 15/09/2014 It’s one of the 1970’s most recognised guitar rifts, but Led Zeppelin will shortly be in court to defend ‘Stairway to Heaven’ against... Read more... Law-abiding outlaws: The Hells Angels approach to trademark rights 29/08/2014 The US Department of Justice considers the Hells Angels to be an organised criminal syndicate but, as Magdalena Borucka and Alastair Rawlence... Read more... Has the Premier League scored an own goal? 26/08/2014 News that the Football Association Premier League Ltd (FAPL) is set to clamp down on Vine videos of goals for infringing copyright laws, has... Read more... But first, let me take a selfie 18/08/2014 Self-portrait photographs are now such a part of popular culture that the word “selfie” was added to the revised version of The Official... Read more... Getting your IP in order: preparing for an IPO 21/07/2014 Alastair Rawlence kicks off a series of articles setting out advice for organisations looking to consolidate their IP portfolios and to align... Read more... Summer break 2014 21/07/2014 It’s time for the Novagraaf Group’s newsletter team to take a short summer break. We’ll be back online with our next e-zine on 16... Read more... Novagraaf are a first for Norwich Research Park's new hub building 9/07/2014 Increase in entrepreneurial activity at the Park attracted patent attorneys, who expertly combine local knowledge with global connections Read more... Valideus and Novagraaf validate .vlaanderen/.brussels applications 7/07/2014 Valideus and Novagraaf have been engaged by DNS Belgium to validate applications for .vlaanderen and .brussels domain names during the second... Read more... Capturing the intangible 4/07/2014 Most businesses know that trademarks are valuable assets; the challenge comes in quantifying that value and using it as a springboard for... Read more... Innovation capacity and the renewable energy sector 3/07/2014 The UK energy sector is facing unprecedented changes across its business environment. The government target for 15% of UK energy consumption... Read more... Best IP firm 2014: the Novagraaf Group scoops top awards 1/07/2014 It’s been a successful few months for the Novagraaf Group and its European offices with our work recognised at the award ceremonies of some... Read more... For those about to rock...don't forget to trademark your band name 30/06/2014 Emerging artists may prefer to focus more on making music than on IP issues, but this can lead to nasty disputes and sour notes down the... Read more... No trademark right for K-Swiss’s five stripes 27/06/2014 The General Court of the EU has found that the five stripes of K-Swiss can not function as a trademark. The Court ruled that the figurative... Read more... Integrating IP into R&D: Should you search before research? 27/06/2014 IP strategy is best considered at the start of research and development (R&D). The first step is choosing the IP approach to take during... Read more... Bayern Munich tops Football 50 league table 26/06/2014 Domestic dominance has kept Bayern Munich in pole position for the second year, while Manchester United drops to third place, according to... Read more... Unregistered design rights and the burden of proof 24/06/2014 Good news for owners of unregistered design rights! In a recent case, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) considered that a design holder does... Read more... The Novagraaf Group on the podium of best European consultancies 20/06/2014 The Novagraaf Group has been recognised in the 2014 edition of Innovation - Technology & Intellectual Property, a guide published by Leaders... Read more... Why is Tesla seemingly giving away its patents? 20/06/2014 More and more companies are embracing collective (or open) innovation as a means to grow their businesses, as Novagraaf’s Mark Suddaby... Read more... Redskins without Redskins 20/06/2014 The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently revoked what it has termed “disparaging” trademarks associated with the Washington... Read more... The artist known as Pi 19/06/2014 When Brooklyn artist Paul Ingrisano obtained a trademark registration in the US for the π symbol, nobody batted an eyelid. It was only when... Read more... 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: football and IP 10/06/2014 Things are heating up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Two days from now, Brazil will meet Croatia in Sao Paulo for the opening match.... Read more... Hey, driver! Are you licensed to play that music? 6/06/2014 You have to enter licensing agreements in order to play copyright-protected music in restaurants, hotels and even lifts, but what about the... Read more... The .uk domain extension opens for business on 10 June 6/06/2014 As of 10 June 2014, it will be possible to register a .uk domain, where previously only third-level extensions, such as .co.uk, .org.uk and... Read more... Keep on moving: the role of IP in the music industry 2/06/2014 Music and IP law are an unconventional yet inseparable couple, and the first five months of 2014 have already been rich in copyright and... Read more... Madrid system continues to expand 19/05/2014 The Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) confirmed its intention to join the Madrid Protocol at the INTA conference... Read more... Korea joins Hague Agreement concerning Industrial Designs 16/05/2014 On March 31rd, last, the Republic of Korea has acceded the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of... Read more... Ruud Peters joins Novagraaf’s Supervisory Board 15/05/2014 The Novagraaf Group announced today that leading intellectual property (IP) professional Ruud Peters had joined its Supervisory Board.... Read more... Celebrate World Cocktail Day with some IP drinking facts 13/05/2014 When we think about cocktails, the last thing that comes to mind is intellectual property (IP) law. However, in celebration of this year’s... Read more... First Google AdWords-ruling in New Zealand 13/05/2014 In its first judgment on Google Adwords, the New Zealand High Court in Auckland held that Nakedbus deliberately infringed InterCity’s... Read more... New trademark law in China has come into force 13/05/2014 As of May 1st, last, China’s new trademark law has entered into force. The new trademark law brings positive change for (future) trademark... Read more... Wearable tech: should we watch out for Microsoft? 13/05/2014 The smartwatch looks set to be the next big topic for consumers and IP professionals, with Apple, Sony, Samsung and now Microsoft all filing... Read more... Novagraaf and Authenticateit partner to combat counterfeits 13/05/2014 The Novagraaf Group has signed an agreement with Authenticateit, an Australian company that offers a powerful new system to enable consumers... Read more... Download ban, what’s in a name? 29/04/2014 Two weeks ago the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the Dutch system of fair compensation for private use copies of copyrighted work... Read more... Chocolate war 29/04/2014 Mars has filed a lawsuit against US confectionery firm Hershey over its Malteser product, which it claims is "passing off" as Mars' own... Read more... UK IP task force suspends more than 2,500 websites 28/04/2014 The UK’s newly established Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) announced last week that it has suspended more than 2,500... Read more... Sony’s state of mind 28/04/2014 Already in 2012 Sony applied for a patent that enables games to extract information about the emotional state of the player of an electronic... Read more... ECJ Judgment triggers download ban discussion 15/04/2014 In contrast to many other countries, downloading copyright protected works from unlawful sources was permitted under the Dutch Copyright Act.... Read more... 007 versus Section 6 15/04/2014 NBC Universal Media accused of copyright infringement by legendary movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Danjaq, the holding company... Read more... Apple sues Samsung for $ 2.2 billion 14/04/2014 In the latest in the ongoing battle between smartphone manufacturers Apple and Samsung, the iPhone creator is claiming US$2.2 billion in... Read more... Cosmetics industry is looking good 10/04/2014 Cosmetic brand value is soaring according to the latest research by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance. But, who has made the... Read more... No bad faith in UDRP-procedure due to death respondent 1/04/2014 The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) is an arbitration procedure to... Read more... UK IPO launches anti-piracy app 1/04/2014 Music Inc. app is a joint initiative between the UK’s Intellectual Property Office and music industry representative group, UK Music. It... Read more... Big Hurt for Reebok 31/03/2014 White Sox slugger Frank Thomas is due to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year, but he might be headed to court first. Thomas... Read more... Duracell Energy Drinks prohibited 28/03/2014 An Iranian company came up with the idea of Duracell Energy Drinks. The hyperactive rabbits that Duracell frequently uses to show their level... Read more... Google Adwords and pharma ads in Germany 18/03/2014 In the German Advertising in the Health Care System Act, is it stated that advertisements for pharmaceutical products outside professional... Read more... IP Translator: the ‘forbidden’ terms 17/03/2014 In the IP Translator judgment (case C-307/10), the Court of Justice of the EU states that the description of goods or services for which a... Read more... A kornspitz and two croissants please… 17/03/2014 In general it’s a good achievement for any trademark holder to have their trademark be the name people will think of, when looking for a... Read more... Getty seeks to combat piracy by allowing free access to photos 10/03/2014 The world’s leading photo library Getty Images has announced that it will provide free access to its image archive for non-commercial use,... Read more... Watch out for a counterfeit Rolex 4/03/2014 Rolex should be able to stop counterfeit watches entering the European Community, where they’re considered infringing the Intellectual... Read more... Candy Crash 3/03/2014 When it was recently revealed that social game developer King.com filed to register the trademark for the word 'candy,' the response from... Read more... Switzerland will get its own ‘Licence Box’ 3/03/2014 Switzerland plans to initiate tax tool for revenue generated by IP licensing and other IP-generated income. Move follows systems introduced by... Read more... The Swissness project: ‘Swiss made’ label under review 27/02/2014 New ‘Swissness’ law seeks to control the use of geographical indicators, including the Swiss flag and Helvetic Confederation coat of arms,... Read more... Round one to Lush in Adword dispute with Amazon 24/02/2014 Cosmetic company Lush takes first hit in battle with global e-tailing giant Amazon over use of its name in Google AdWord campaigns. Dispute... Read more... Apple world's most valuable brand, Ferrari most powerful 21/02/2014 The Brand Finance Global 500, released this week, is an annual study conducted by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, which evaluates... Read more... No infringement on LA Fingers image 18/02/2014 Renowned photographer/video director Estevan Oriol had filed a lawsuit in August 2013 against Swedish fashion brand H&M and fashion house... Read more... Is linking to a website copyright infringement? 18/02/2014 Website owners “may, without the authorization of the copyright holders, redirect Internet users via hyperlinks, to protected works... Read more... No patent when using stem cells 18/02/2014 The Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office recently had a rather fundamental and ethically charged decision to make regarding the use... Read more... Confidentiality agreements in the restaurant business 18/02/2014 We have all heard the famous story of the Coca-Cola recipe. It is widely considered to be the best kept trade secret in the world. And by... Read more... New trademark law in Ethiopia 4/02/2014 Some time ago, new trademark regulations were published in Ethiopia, bringing into force a new regime for the registration and enforcement of... Read more... Brazil launches a new tool in its fight against counterfeiting 4/02/2014 The National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the National Council to Combat Piracy, a consultive body of the Ministry of Justice,... Read more... Samsung signs patent licensing deals with Google and Ericsson 3/02/2014 Samsung has recently signed two deals, one with Google and the other with Ericsson, under which the companies will cross-license their patents... Read more... Apple 1 – Samsung 0 in patent dispute 24/01/2014 A US judge has ruled that Samsung infringed Apple's patent-protected predictive text technology. The invention describes a way for touchscreen... Read more... Pinterest loses right to use trademark in Europe 20/01/2014 Trademark registrations may not always be front-of-mind during a business’s start-up phase. But, failure to protect your chosen brand or... Read more... Coinye is dead, Kanye wins 20/01/2014 The launch of a new digital ‘cryptocurrency’ has suffered a setback when US rapper Kanye West decided to file a complaint. The digital... Read more... Sherlock Holmes: A study in US copyright 17/01/2014 In comparison to most countries the US maintain a relatively long period for protection of copyrighted works published between 1923 and 1977.... Read more... Final verdict: no Google technology in iPhone 14/01/2014 Apple did not use patented technology owned by Google unit Motorola Mobility in making its iPhones, an appeals court said. The US Court of... Read more... New Beatles releases due to copyright law 23/12/2013 Apple Records has put out 59 previously unreleased versions of Beatles’ songs last week. The tracks, which are available as downloads,... Read more... Bilateral conventions irrelevant for CTM 23/12/2013 Swiss drinks company Rivella appealed against a figurative Community trademark (CTM) application for the word BASKAYA, but was unable to prove... Read more... All Animals are equal 23/12/2013 The 1960s band ‘The Animals’ are still quite famous internationally, their version of the song ‘The House of The Rising Sun’ being... Read more... An interesting career move 13/12/2013 Google's former top patent lawyer has been put in charge of America's patent and trademark office (USPTO). Michelle Lee was made deputy... Read more... Software protection and patents 10/12/2013 The US Supreme Court will rule for the first time in decades on patent protection for computer software, taking up a case that has divided the... Read more... ‘Afrika’ is distinctive when used with foodstuffs 10/12/2013 The word ‘Afrika’ is distinctive when used for foodstuffs. Unlike for example Asia and South America, Afrika sounds exotic to the average... Read more... Domain names seized for counterfeiting-related offences 4/12/2013 The UK’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), along with authorities in eight other countries, seized hundreds of domain names... Read more... US government pays out $50m in piracy case 3/12/2013 The US government has agreed to pay $50 million as part of a settlement agreement, after it was accused of pirating ‘thousands’ of copies... Read more... Trademarks Patents Designs Domain names Copyright Strategy References See more references ... IP Tools See all IP tools ... Novagraaf has a variety of specialist tools to help its clients to protect and manage their Intellectual Property (IP) rights. These instruments represent a means of exploring issues with respect to IP. © 2014 Novagraaf. All rights reserved. Home | Novagraaf | News | Downloads | Vacancies | Contact | Terms