As we recently celebrated World Intellectual Property Day, we thought we might investigate the background to the first granted patents and registered trade marks. Patent Firsts UK patent law applied in Ireland until the formation of the Irish Free State in 1921. It was not until the Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Act 1927 that [...]
Registering your company name, trading name or domain name doesn’t give the same protection as a Trade Mark registration! Have you noticed many companies with the same or similar names? There are several Station House Hotels in Ireland (Clifden, Letterkenny and Kilmessan in Meath) yet they are all independently trading. By registering your brand name [...]
In June last year we posted an article on the UK Intellectual Property Bill 2013 (https://maclachlan.ie/uk-intellectual-property-bill-2013). On 2nd April 2014 the House of Lords agreed the amendments made to the Bill in the House of Commons and the Bill now only requires the Royal Assent to become law. This post comments on changes to design [...]
The long-running dispute between British fashion house Karen Millen and the well known Irish retailer, Dunnes Stores, has moved a step closer to resolution. “Not before time”, some might say, since the case relates to women's clothing originally sold by Karen Millen in 2005. Karen Millen claimed that it was the owner of unregistered Community [...]
During the course of a business meeting held in our offices recently, it became apparent that there was some confusion in relation to the registrability of slogans/taglines as trade marks. Surprise was expressed at the fact that slogans can in fact be protected as trade marks and that many well known slogans are so registered. [...]
On Sunday March 16th 2014, Peter MacLachlan appeared on Today FM on the Sunday Business Show with Conall O’Morain to discuss the Registration of slogans as Trade Marks. Listen to the podcast here: http://www.todayfm.com/player/podcasts/The_Sunday_Business_Show/Sunday_Business_Show/12644/1/own_your_very_own_slogan
Carla MacLachlan is currently in London attending the Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group's Conference entitled "Realities in Realms of Regulation of Pharmaceutical Trade Marks" while Cliff Kennedy will also be in London from March 19-21st inclusive attending the Spring Conference of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys called "Media, Pop Culture and the Law".
With effect from 1st March 2014, Ireland has formally acceded to the London Agreement. In practice, it has been possible since 3rd September 2012 to avoid filing any translation where a European Patent is granted in the German or French languages, as changes to Ireland’s national laws effective from that date dispensed with the requirement [...]
Peter MacLachlan and Jonathan White will be attending the Future in Pharmaceuticals Ireland Conference at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, 26th February 2014. The event will bring together speakers from the Irish pharmaceutical sector who will share their experiences, challenges and successes in achieving high levels of sustainability within the sector.
The European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are referred to as the IP5 Offices. The IP5 PPH pilot programme commenced on 6th January 2014 and will continue for [...]