Weekly highlights

Weekly highlights

Each week, we provide a round up of key developments in IP law. This subtopic is an archive of all previous

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Latest IP News

WIPO and ESIC launch IGET for specialised dispute resolution

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) have jointly established the International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET), a pioneering not-for-profit dispute resolution body which seeks to address the unique needs of the global video games and esports industries by offering tailored alternative dispute resolution services. The tribunal will manage a comprehensive range of disputes, including integrity issues, intellectual property conflicts, and contractual disagreements.

EU introduces competitiveness compass

The European Commission has introduced the competitiveness compass, a strategic framework aimed at guiding the Commission's work for the next five years, which lists priority actions to enhance Europe's competitiveness. This is the first major initiative of the Commission in this mandate. This competitiveness compass is building on the recommendations of the Draghi report on ‘The future of European competitiveness’, published in September 2024 (see: LNB News 10/09/2024 44). The initiative aspires to position Europe as a leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of future technologies, services, and clean products, while also achieving climate neutrality. Despite lagging behind other major economies in productivity growth over the past two decades, the EU possesses the necessary resources, including a skilled workforce, capital, savings, and a unique social infrastructure, to reverse this trend. However, urgent action is required to address persistent barriers and structural weaknesses. Full details are available in the competitive compass document and more details can be found below.

The importance of a clear and precise trade mark description—invalidity actions against ‘three stripes’ trade marks (Thom Browne v Adidas)

IP analysis: Thom Browne brought an action to invalidate 16 UK trade mark registrations owned by Adidas, all of which comprised their ’three stripes’ design. Adidas counterclaimed that Thom Browne's four stripe pattern infringed their registrations and included claims to passing off. The grounds of invalidity included that Adidas' registrations were unclear, imprecise and inconsistent and so did not constitute ‘signs’ under section 1(1) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA 1994), as well as being non-distinctive trade marks and subject to revocation for non-use. The case is a strong reminder of the importance of ensuring a trade mark application contains a clear and precise description, even if that means the protection afforded by the trade mark must be narrowly construed. Written by Helene Whelbourn, legal director at Lee & Thompson LLP.

IP weekly highlights—23 January 2025

This week's edition of IP weekly highlights includes: a hand-picked summary of news analysis, updates and new content from the world of IP. These highlights focus on the key rights of copyright and associated rights, database rights, trade marks and passing off, designs, and patents as well as covering issues relating to confidential information, know-how R&D and IP disputes all mainly from a UK and European perspective.