Mondriaan and merchandising; copyrights

At the beginning of this year the Hague Museum announced that they were able to buy one of te original Mondriaan dresses from Yves Saint Lauren. The dress is dubbed as the “mother of Mondriaan merchandise” by the director. We will see much of this merchandise since Piet Mondriaan died in 1944, and copyright expires after 70 years. Does this mean everything is now free to be used?

No. Aside from copyright you also have to take the rights of the photographer into account. Many museums forbid pictures of paintings. If a special painting is to be used for merchandising, it is advisable to pay off the photographer or museum, or use a stock bank.

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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?