Celebrating 20 Years of IP Excellence

This image depicts the logo of MGM, the motion pictures producers. The logo consists of a roaring lion. The depiction is accompanied by a majestic roar of the lion. Is this trademarkable? This post deals with the question as to whether sounds can be trademarked. Click on the image to read the full post.

Can Sound Be Registered as a Trademark?

  This post was first published on 15th October, 2012.   A trademark is a word or symbol which is associated with a product or company. It is one of the important Intellectual properties of any Company. With the diversification of means for branding products, sound marks/sound logos (such as Intel's "Intel inside" musical jingle"; MGM lion's roar) have got prominence and their protection has become an important aspect. No company would desire such a unique identification sound to be moving into public…

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Final Rules For Administrative Trials Published

This post was first published on 15th August, 2012.   The U.S. Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will publish final rules in the Federal Register, relating to implementation of three administrative trial provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA); inter partes review, post-grant review, and the transitional program for covered business method patents. The administrative trial final rules offer a third party a timely, cost-effective alternative to district court litigation for challenging the patentability of a…

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Wankel Engine, Although Revving not Revolutionary

This post was first published on 13th June 2014.   What's the one thing that is common between a 1975 Suzuki RE5 motorcycle and a Mazda Taiki supercar? Believe the answer would be - the Engine. Both these vehicles are powered by an engine called the ‘Wankel Engine’. Ranging from a simple single cylinder engine that powers our motorcycles with great mileage, to advanced SCRAM jet engine that propels hyper-sonic airplanes to an astonishing speed of 10,000 km/h, IC engines have evolved over…

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Copyright and Entertainment Laws News

Bombay High Court Rules that CBFC has no ‘Intellectual Morality’,US Copyright Office forms a Mechanical Rights Society,Rapper Sues Insurance Company over Copyright Infringement Lawsuit, and more

  Bombay High Court Rules that CBFC has no ‘Intellectual Morality’; Upcoming Film “Roohi Afza” Averts Copyright Infringement; Copyright Infringement Lawsuit filed against the film ‘Mission Mangal’; Rapper Sues Insurance Company over Copyright Infringement Lawsuit; US Copyright Office forms a Mechanical Rights Society; Huawei continues to remain on US Export Blacklist; Restrictions on Sale by E-Commerce Platforms; Etsy asks Sellers to include Shipping Price in their Items; E-Commerce Policies in India under Budget 2019, and more. NATIONAL NEWS Bombay High Court Rules…

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The image depicts a portrait of Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell’s Path-breaking Patents

  This post was first published on March 12th, 2014.   Have you ever imagined a world without communication? I am sure that the thought itself is horrible. Over the years, communication technologies have evolved to such an extent as to make the whole world shrink to the size of a portable communication device. Having said that, I think this is the right time to pay tribute to a legend who laid the foundation to the communication era: Alexander Graham Bell -…

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A Marksman to Get Your Mark- Choosing the Right Trademark Attorney

This post was first published on December 15, 2011. Trademark protection is an indispensable requirement for any business today. Any running business without a registered trademark, is not only prone to passing off but also runs a risk of infringing other registered trademarks. Trademark registration is sought by most business organisations today as a protection and risk mitigation measure. Due to an ever growing requirement for trademark registration services, a number of service providers have mushroomed off late…

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Pedaling the Mechanical Horse

This post was first published on 10th November, 2010. During the nineteenth century, the Bicycle which was referred to as “Mechanical Horse” by David V. Herlihy evoked an exciting new world in which every person could travel afar and at will. But now, in this modern world “Is the bicycle capable enough of competing with other advanced vehicles?” While exploring my query, I came across many interesting inventions one among those is very interesting and provided hereunder for your reference. Normally, while…

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This image depicts a toothpaste tube shaped like a banana. It raises the question of such possibility. This post explores how traditional knowledge is used and misused by patents. Click on the image to read the full post.

Comparative Advertising: Pepsodent v. Colgate

This post was first published on August 21, 2013 There is yet another war between Hindustan Unilever Limited (Pepsodent) and Colgate- Palmolive (Colgate), regarding a comparative advertisement by HUL, which shows two kids brushing their teeth with Pepsodent and Colgate, where both the toothpaste packs are clearly visible. The kids then take a cavity test, and the voiceover follows which says that, Pepsodent Germicheck is 130% better than Colgate, when it comes to germ attack (news available here). Colgate-Palmolive is known to…

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The image depicts the logo of IP India. This post gives updates on the trademark filing and database system to be followed by them. Click on the image to read the full post.

Review of Organisational Structure of CGPDTM

This post was first published on 9th October, 2011. DIPP has published a discussion paper on ‘Review of Organizational structure of the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indication’. This is 12th discussion paper in the consultation series and third paper dealing with issues relating to IPR. This Discussion Paper deals with the scope and options for reorganizing the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), to make it…

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Intellectual Property

Compulsory License for “Not working”

This post was first posted on 8th April, 2011.   In a recent development, non-compliance with regard to the requirement of local working of patent, required under patent law, may lead to issue of compulsory licenses to generics for seven top selling drugs. The RTI query sought by SpicyIP (Way to go Spicy IP!) seeking information regarding Form 27 filings by Innovators for the top selling drugs Tarceva (Roche and OSI Pharms), Stutent (Pfizer), Nexavar (Bayer), Sprycel; Dasatinib (BMS), Pegasys (Roche), Viraferonpeg…

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