Trademark news

Marks & Spencer The Perfect match

Flo Broughton starts a chocolatery named ‘Choc on Choc’ with her father back in 2003. Ever since 2015, they have been selling matches made out of white Belgian chocolate. The words ‘Perfect Match’ are pressed into the chocolate. Marks & Spencer launches an almost identical product with Valentine's Day this year, leaving Flo not amused. » advertising-law

Misleading advertisement for Parodontax toothpaste packaging

Everyone who has ever used Parodontax toothpaste knows that it has no equal. This toothpaste has a unique salty taste, does not foam and once you are used to it, you will never want anything else again. When Parodontax launches a renewed product, it doesn’t only explode on social media, also a complaint is lodged with the Advertising Code Committee (RCC). » advertising-law

Beer drinking toddlers

Misleading advertising is found all over the world. It often concerns use of words, but the deception can also involve matching packaging. Sometimes unexpected parties com to the rescue. Choc Milk Stout (from Howler’s brewery) mimics the packaging of Milo chocolate powder from Nestlé. A nice touch, unless something goes wrong. A toddler accidentally mistakes the can of beer in the family fridge for chocolate milk, after which its parents file a complaint with the advertising authorities. This design is irresponsible. The brewery reacts indignantly: “We do not target children with our beer and the use of this label does not lure children into consuming beer.” » advertising-law

Picture of own staff in company advertising

If a person is photographed, he or she can object to the publication of that photo if the person has a reasonable interest in doing so. For celebrities this often comes down to financial interest. For ordinary people/staff, it is often about the right to privacy, protection of honor and reputation. » advertising-law

Max Verstappen still loses to Picnic

As an introduction of the brand Picnic, the company launched a viral parody of the Jumbo commercials featuring Max Verstappen. Celebrities popularity can be monetized. For that reason Max started legal proceedings against this use. Court agreed with Max and sentenced Picnic to total damages of € 150,000. » advertising-law
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IP quiz Trademarks

Puma is one of the bigger sports and lifestyle brands in the world. The core-business is the design, development and sale of (sports) shoes, (sports) clothing and accessories. In 1960, Puma registered an international trademark for a device designed in 1958: the formstrip. Since then, Puma has registered approximately 90 formstrip trademarks with validity in the Benelux or the European Union. Puma claims that this is a serial mark. Monshoe is a wholesaler of women's shoes and related products. The company designs and develops Monshoe shoes which it largely markets itself. Monshoe sells its women's shoes under the brands Shoecolate and Pearlz. The shoe Shoecolate is offered in various colour combinations. Puma claims that Monshoe infringes its well-known formstrip trademark. Monshoe contradicts this and states that the average consumer will not perceive the device of Monshoe on the sneakers as a trademark. And if the public will recognize a trademark in the decoration, it will not make the connection to Puma. According to Monshoe, the formstrip logo is not a well-known trademark within the meaning of the BVIE and the UMVo. There is no likelihood of confusion because the sign does not or hardly evoke any association with Puma among the public. In light of the above, who is right? Does this constitute decorative use or linking to a well-known trademark?