European Union: Trademark

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Intellectual property law and copyright law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as licensing and syndication, patent law, trade secrets and trademark law.
Article
Bösgläubigkeit (mauvaise foi) dans les dépôts de marques déposées : un risque croissant pour les entreprises
En droit allemand des marques, le principe du « premier déposant » semble, à première vue, accorder des droits exclusifs au titulaire de la marque simplement par enregistrement. Cependant, ce principe est soumis à une limitation fondamentale. Giovanna Cassin décrit le concept de mauvaise foi dans les dépôts de marques, connu en droit allemand sous le nom de « Bösgläubigkeit ».
European Union IP
NG
Novagraaf Group
Article
The Price Of Literary Fame – EUIPO Grand Board Refuses Registration Of “GEORGE ORWELL” As A Trademark
In a major decision dated December 19, 2025 (R 2248/2019-G), the Grand Board of Appeal of the EUIPO ruled that the word mark “GEORGE ORWELL” cannot be registered as an EU trade mark (EUTM) for goods and services such as books, films, recorded media, and entertainment, cultural, and educational services. The decision provides important clarification on the registrability of famous persons’ names in cases where such names may be perceived by the relevant public as describing the content or subject matter of the goods and services concerned, rather than their commercial origin.
Germany IP
BP
Bardehle Pagenberg
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