India Today Defeats its Domain Infringer, National IP Award 2019, Avengers: End Game Merchandize Collection, Mau Saree Filed for GI and Other News

Indian Trademark Statistics for April (Fourth Week), ‘SOTY2 x Koovs’ Collection, Nike Files New Trademark, and more, brought to you by the Trademark Attorneys at BananaIP (BIP) Counsels.

TRADEMARK QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“A brand is something that has a clear cut identity among consumers, which a company creates by sending out a clear, consistent message over a period of years until it achieves a critical mass of marketing” – Phil Knight

INDIAN TRADEMARK STATISTICS

In the last week, the Indian Trademark Office has had a mixed week. The total number of applications disposed through show cause hearing has increased by ninety six percent (96%). Similarly, the total number of applications examined by the Trademark Office has increased by seventy percent (70%). However, the total number of applications published in the trademark journal has decreased by twenty three percent (23%).

Weekly Indian Trademark Statistics

Particulars Last Week This Week Change in %
Total Trademark Applications Examined by Trademark Office 2581 4399 An increase of 70%
Total Applications Disposed through Show Cause Hearings 2936 5740 An increase of 96%
Total Applications Published in the Trademark Journal 4930 3817 A decrease of  23%
Total Registrations Granted 7055 6331 A decrease of 10%
Total Hearing Notices Issued 6572 9009 An increase of 37%
Total Renewals Notices Issued 1340 2083 A decrease of 27%

Trademark Statistics by Office

Total Number of New Applications Received from April 24th, 2019 to May 1st, 2019

Sr. No Jurisdiction New Applications Examined Published Registered
1 AHMEDABAD 980 246 306 796
2 CHENNAI 1395 372 754 1408
3 DELHI 2793 706 1523 1681
4 KOLKATA 441 136 112 386
5 MUMBAI 1618 415 813 1724
Total   7227 1875 3508 5995

Yearly Trademark Statistics

Trademark Statistics from January 01st, 2019 to May 1st, 2019

  • Total Number of Trademark Applications Filed – 114625
  • Total Number of Trademark Applications Examined –  49931
  • Total Number of Trademark Applications Published – 108059
  • Total Number of Trademark Applications Registered – 91822

INDIAN TRADEMARK UPDATES

India Today Defeats its Domain Infringer

Living Media India Limited, owner and publisher of the weekly news magazine, “INDIA TODAY” since 1975 filed a suit seeking a permanent injunction against an Individual, Vijayan Madhavan Praveen from infringing and passing off Living Media’s registered trademark, “INDIA TODAY” by using a deceptively similar domain name www.indiatoday24X7.com in respect of online Tamil news. It is also submitted in the suit that the individual has also copied the design, logo and colour scheme of “INDIA TODAY”. The High Court of New Delhi opined that the individual does not have any real prospect in defending the claim as “INDIA TODAY” was the registered trademark of Living Media and the individual had failed to appear or file a written statement. The Court, therefore, filed an ex-parte permanent injunction from using the domain name.

INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK UPDATES

Nike Files New Trademark

Nike Inc, the American footwear and apparel manufacturing company has filed new trademark for the term Cryptokicks with the USPTO. The mark has been filed under a number of classes which includes crypto wallet along with downloadable mobile applications for providing access to crypto collectibles, crypto art and application tokens amongst other classes. The filing of the mark gives the indication of Nike venturing into the online currency business.

Rock the Bell for LL Cool J

LL Cool J, an American hip hop recording artist, has won the trademark battle for the mark Rock the Bell. Cool J had filed a case for trademark infringement last year in November against Guerrilla Union Inc, the founders of the annual hip-hop festival Rock the Bells Music Festival, for using the mark without the rapper’s consent. The California federal judge while pronouncing the judgment in favour of the rapper, has ruled that Guerrilla Union cannot use the mark ‘Rock the Bells’ without the rapper’s permission. Also, Guerrilla Union must permanently refrain from “manufacturing, transporting, promoting, importing, advertising, publicizing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling any goods or services” under the “Rock the Bells” name. LL Cool J will also get control of the website rockthebells.net, any social media handle of the same name, along with any email account associated with the name.

BRAND LICENSING UPDATES

Avengers: End Game Merchandize Collection

The much awaited blockbuster, Avengers: End Game has finally released on 26th April worldwide. Over the last few years, Marvel Studios has grown from a comic book to a global entertainment brand. With the latest release, Marvel has signed up with various merchandizers ranging from accessories to fashion ranges. The partners are Souled Store, Jack & Jones, Pantaloons, Bewakoof, Lifestyle Stores, Max Fashion, Crocs (for kids), Fashion Big Bazaar and Lee Jeans.

‘SOTY2 x Koovs’ Collection

Online shopping website Koovs has collaborated with Student of the Year 2, (SOTY2) as an online fashion partner for the film, of selected men’s and women’s fashion styles based out of the film. The collection will feature athleisure, pop and neon and co-ords range. The collaboration will also include a co-branded multimedia campaign featuring the fresh faces, Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria. The film SOTY2 is produced by Dharma Productions.

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION UPDATES

Mau Saree Filed for GI

Mau Saree of Uttar Pradesh are famous for its conventional and Banarasi look. Mau Sarees are known for Zari patterns, buta (traditional circular rounded designs) and other patterns. The origin of the Mau Saree goes back to the 16th Century AD. The main products of Mau Saree vary from Zoni Moni, Chadder Mekhala, Buti Saree, Katwar Ambos, Ambose Saree and Jhalak Saree. The application was filed by Bharat Industrial Co-operative Society Limited and Bunker Powerloom in March, 2019.

OTHER IP UPDATES

National IP Award-Benny Antony

This year Benny Antony, the Joint Managing Director of Arjuna Natural Ltd, a Kochi-based manufacturer and exporter of standardized botanical extraction has been awarded the National IP Award for 2019 in the category of Top Individual for Patents and Commercialization. The award will be bestowed on the occasion of World IP Day every year on 26th April, jointly by Indian Intellectual Property Office and the Confederation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CII) in New Delhi. The award is given to the people who are outstanding in the field of innovators, organizations and companies in the field of patents, designs, trademarks and geographical indications.
 
Author: BIP Trademark Attorneys
Led by Sanjeeth Hegde, BIP’s Trademark Attorneys are among the leading experts in the field. They work on trademark filing, prosecution, management, licensing, franchising, merchandizing, litigation, and strategy for clients such as PEPS, Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, Essilor, Samsung and the IITs.
The weekly trademark news initiative is a part of their pro bono work and is aimed at spreading trademark awareness. You are free to share the news with appropriate attribution and backlink to the source.
If you have any questions, you may write to BIP’s Trademark Attorneys at [email protected]

Leave a comment