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Kingsday 2020: Balcony day

Kingsday 2020: Balcony day

Not only King's Day (a Dutch national holiday celebrating the birthday of the sovereign) celebrations were limited this year, also the number of follow-on advertising campaigns was scarce. Question is: what is actually allowed? A good example of this is the Balcony day! campaign sponsored by Ticketswap! The campaign calls for people us to raise their glass on their balconies (so at home, maintaining social distance) in honor of our King. The four most beautiful photos could win a TicketSwap voucher. The face in the advertisement resembles that of our King. Is this allowed? » advertising-law
Michael Jordan right to a person’s name

Michael Jordan right to a person’s name

In the Benelux we do not know an exclusive right to our own name. If a company wants to claim a family name as its exclusive name, it will have to file a trademark registration. In the EU, it is sometimes possible to tackle name-hijacking, if it is clear that this name was registered as a trademark in bad faith. In some countries, like China, that protection goes a bit further and there is such a thing as a right to a "personal name". » trademarks
Adidas’s stripe saga

Adidas’s stripe saga

Adidas uses three parallel stripes as the distinguishing sign of its products. Characteristic is the number and the fact that the stripes are just as wide as the space between them. The design dates from 1949. To protect the goodwill of this brand, the company acts consistently against other sports brands that use stripes. The best known conflict is, we suspect, the series of lawsuits against Hennes and Mauritz that has been ongoing since 1997, over the use of the two stripes on fitness clothing. » trademarks
Claiming furniture design

Claiming furniture design

Last year, the EU Court passed an important ruling on the relationship between design law and copyright. It was indicated that copyright does not always provide the same protection as a design right. Copyright can only be invoked if an intellectual creation is concerned. This seems to put an end to the ultra-low threshold that was applicable in the Netherlands and with this ruling the importance of claiming design through a design registration has increased considerably. » design-law
Protection of look and feel packaging

Protection of look and feel packaging

HEKS'NKAAS (Witches’ Cheese) is a herbal cream/cheese dip and has been a hit in the Netherlands for years. When production is shifted from one party to another, the former producer launches a similar product under the name DIP&SMEER (Dip&Spread). However, the producer of HEKS'NKAAS has trademarked their packaging, both with and without the brand name on it. That turned out to be a smart move, because it makes a claim on the look and feel of the product. A lawsuit is filed against the very similar packaging of the newcomer. » trademarks
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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?
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