I was shopping at Superstore the other day and my trade-mark senses started tingling. Lo and behold I spotted a board game specializing in trade-marks! Now you can have fun AND learn about trade-marks all in one box! More about…
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As it often happens in professional sports, a unique statement, name, or play style suddenly becomes an overnight sensation. I previously Lin-troduced you to Jeremy Lin, NBA Star (read about it here). Now, as it seems, Tim Tebow, a quarterback…
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Due to the impending world-wide bacon crisis (see news story), I thought I'd share a few bacon-related trademarks I've come across. First and foremost is the BACONATOR sandwich from Wendy's. Weighing in at 970 calories and a whopping 63g of…
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An important trade-mark decision was reached on September 5, 2012 in the fashion industry. Christian Louboutin, the world-renowned designer of women's shoes, was somewhat victorious in a US trade-mark suit which highlighted the question of whether colour could validly form…
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Often I get questions from clients like: "My proposed trade-mark is similar to an existing trade-mark. Would I be able to register it?" An analysis of the registrability of a proposed trade-mark is a complicated one, and involves a number…
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Some interesting and lesser-known trade-mark facts: An early use of trade-marks in Britain was by bakers who wanted to distinguish their baked goods from other bakers. The Baker's Marking Law of 1266 regulated this practice and was an early precursor…
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Public Authorities in Canada gain special rights and provisions for trade-marks used in conjunction with their public actions, services, and wares. So long as a "public authority" is controlled by a Canadian Government (municipalities, provincial legislatures, etc.) and its function…
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Several of my clients operate websites from which US residents can order their products. These clients have registered Canadian trade-marks, and sell their products world-wide over the Internet. A common question from these clients is "Can I get a US…
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Can you get one trademark registration that gives you full international protection? The simple answer is no. Each country or jurisdiction has its own laws or rules regulating trademarks, and in order to gain protection in each of these jurisdictions,…
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UK pop quintet ONE DIRECTION is facing legal action from a US band of the same name, claiming that it had the name registered in the US first, and was famous enough that it is confusing to the public, even…
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