Stobbs

The worst-kept-secret member of the British Secret Service has been in the news a number of times in significant weeks. The news was announced that the Broccoli/Wilson family – owners of Eon Productions Ltd and DANJAQ, LLC in the US, and long-time controllers of brand Bond – will be ceding control to Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios in a reported $1 billion deal. An additional complication is that fact that the copyright protection for the original James Bond novels is set to expire in 2035, allowing some elements of the IP to fall into the public domain and potentially providing an opening for creations by rival studios and, potentially, additional licensing opportunities. With these developments in mind, David Barnett considers the current landscape of intellectual property surrounding 007, to gain an overview of what the current and future custodians of the brand may need to contend with... https://lnkd.in/eEjMMyqY  #brandprotection  #intellectualproperty  #copyright

Exciting news: I will be a founding partner of the U.S. offices of Stobbs (iamstobbs.com). Joining me as founders will be J Scott Evans and Matthew Ladenheim. We will be offering modern legal services at popular prices. Watch this space for more details.

What does the word ‘Bimbo’ mean to you? As a native English speaker, it likely means “a good looking but intellectually challenged young woman”. However, the meaning of the word is not consistent around the world. A recent trade mark case is making the mainstream news in Switzerland where an application for the trade mark BIMBO QSR has been refused. Daniel H. takes a look at the case, and why it demonstrates the importance of adapting your trade mark strategy for international markets... https://lnkd.in/e5PPt8Au

On this day – classic UK trade mark cases: On this day fifteen years ago Prof Ruth Annand as the Appointed Person gave her decision in NO HALF MEASURES (O-079-10 https://lnkd.in/ep8BWecB). She upheld Coca-Cola’s appeal against the UKIPO refusal to accept the trade mark NO HALF MEASURES in class 41 including for “musical entertainment” services. In particular, in finding this mark not lacking distinctive character, she applied the, what was then very recent and now still leading, ECJ (as it was then) judgment in AUDI (Vorsprung durch Technik) on slogan marks. I wrote a case comment on this decision for what was then the ITMA Review and I attach a copy below. My concluding comment was: “Firstly this decision highlights an interesting procedural point on the right of an Applicant to be heard and what can happen when a Registry decision is issued by a person other than the original hearing officer. Secondly, and more interestingly for practitioners and applicants for slogan marks, is that this case applied, in the UK, the recent clarification of the law on the registrability of such marks by the ECJ in Audi. In the view of this author this decision highlights the slight loosening of the restrictions on slogan marks.” 😊

In partnership with Licensing International we are hosting an AI & Licensing Summit on 30th April at our offices in London.   Whether you’re in a business development, marketing, creative, product or legal role, our focus is on providing practical takeaways. Topics will include understanding AI fundamentals, the legal watch-outs, how you can use AI in your business for research and creative work and how AI can help protect your brand.   You can help shape the session by heading to the registration link and letting us know your mains concerns around AI and what you hope to learn.   Please register your interest at https://shorturl.at/dNGRG #licensing #AI #brands #brandlicensing #IP

A recent case concerned the use of the word “shorts” by Google in relation to its YouTube Shorts service, a short-form videos section of the online video-sharing platform YouTube, and trade mark infringement and passing off claims in relation thereto issued by SHORTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED. This case demonstrates the difficulties associated with enforcing marks with low or weak distinctive character. It also serves as a reminder to consider the validity (and scope) of earlier trade mark rights before bringing infringement proceedings, especially the context and meaning of words within a specific industry. Hannah Cramp explains more... https://lnkd.in/e9RnNxz4

Nike x SKIMS SKIMS, which focuses on shapewear for women, was co-founded by Kim Kardashian and Jens and Emma Grede (Emma was recently a guest judge on the UK's Dragon's Den) in 2019 and in 2023 was valued at c. $4bn. According to Retail Gazette, this is first time Nike has collaborated with an external company to introduce a brand, but judging by the meteoric rise of SKIMS, they have made a good choice. NikeSKIMS, will combine Nike’s expertise in performance apparel with SKIMS’ shapewear expertise. The first collection will launch in spring 2025 online and in retail stores across the US, with a global rollout expected in 2026. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGuu79RV Stobbs #intellectualproperty #collaborations #partnerships

Antler, the British company best known for luggage, has released a new 'Essentials' apparel collection - a unisex offering including hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and a cap. This is the first time the brand has entered this category and the range is apparently borne from significant consumer demand. See the whole collection here including Antler's wider Essentials accessories collection: https://lnkd.in/e7ExiPdE Stobbs #brandextension

Are you a 𝗦𝗠𝗘 in the United Kingdom trying to grow your brand? Stop scrolling! There are some funds and schemes that can help you register your intellectual property, which can in turn enable you to grow your brand and open doors to innovative financing solutions. Contact [email protected] if you want advice about how best to navigate these schemes.