OIHM changes its name to EUIPO – and the change do not stop there (Part 1- Fee changes)

By: Shweta Mohandas

Since March 23rd 2016, the Office of Harmonization of Internal Market is called European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Community Trademark is called European Union Trademark. The changes don’t stop there, the Regulation (EU) No 2015/2424, brings about a change (for the better) starting with the fee structure.

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Think before you ink! Copyright and tattoos

By: Shweta Mohandas

The evolution of tattoos is interesting; it was the during the voyages for the discovery of new worlds that the Europeans came across the Aboriginals of the Pacific having these permeant designs of themselves. These later became a rage in Europe, which died down to be used by criminals as well as the justice system to brand criminals with tattoos as a form of punishment and shame. Even later it became a sign of freedom of expression and is considered now almost a norm than an exception. At the end of the day tattoos are a work of art and expression of the artist just that the canvas is a person’s skin.

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Taobao’s role in trademark protection – Alibaba in cooperation with CBBC

By: Ningxin Xie

Since last year, SAIC and Alibaba were fighting against each other on social media after SAIC released a white paper on Alibaba’s problems, including the high percentage of forged products. There was a user protest in 2011 against fee hike, which is claimed to be one of Alibaba’s measures to combat counterfeits. In response to these, Alibaba said they wanted to balance the right of brand owners and users. This Article tries to examine (i) why Alibaba gives new hope to brand owners, (ii) whether potential measures implemented by Taobao – one of Alibaba’s main competitors – are in line with national law, and (iii) the further steps to tackle counterfeiting.

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Copyright Italy

Infringing online copyright to advocate Charlie: does the purpose justify the means?

 By: Maura Migliore

An interesting case of quite clear copyright infringement of online material happened this week in Italy (you might find an English version of the fact on the IPKat too). This news may give us food for thought that goes beyond the copyright issue as such and extends to the use of others’ works in the Internet era.

In the aftermath of Charlie Hebdo’s tragic events, “Corriere della Sera” – one of the most popular Italian newspapers – has decided to publish and market a printed book to raise funds for Charlie Hebdo (each copy is sold for €4.90 and the entire revenue is supposed to be donated to the satirical magazine). The book was prepared extremely quickly by collecting various cartoons which have appeared online in the very last days, in support of freedom of expression and against religious fanaticism.

Although the Corriere’s intent is undoubtedly laudable, a legal issue of no little significance has been immediately raised by most of the Italian cartoonists concerned and has outraged many people among the public: the cartoons were reproduced without asking permission to most of their authors. You might have a look at a drawing published by one of the angered cartoonists (the drawing says “I am not Corriere della Sera”).

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