Archives for December 2011
[Business Today] Lights, Camera, IP Protection!
KASS IP Awareness Programs 2011
VEURO Vs EURO-R: A Lawsuit Against The Trademark Appeal Commission
Do “VEURO” and “EURO-R” look or sound similar to you? Well, the Indonesian Trademark Office believed so, and thus began the case between Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (“Sumitomo”) and the Trademark Appeal Commission.
Sumitomo, a tire manufacturing company from Japan, filed an application for the “VEURO” trademark for goods in class 12. By the time the application entered the substantive phase, the application was refused by the Trademark Examiner due to similarity with the existing “EURO-R” trademark, under registration number IDM000104004 in class 12, in the name of Soe Bie Lian, an Indonesian citizen.
No Other “Regis” But “St.Regis” Allowed for Hotels in Singapore
In this rather interesting opposition proceeding, the Applicant, Staywell Hospitality Group Pty Ltd had applied to protect the trademark “Park Regis” in Classes 35 and 43, claiming, amongst others, business management, business administration, hotel services, hospitality services and etc. The Applicant, who originated from Australia, is the owner of a chain of 3- or 4-star hotels. They have used the “Park Regis” mark in Australia since 1962.
The application was published in May 2008, and was opposed by Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc and Sheraton International, Inc (“the Opponents”), owners of 5-star or higher luxury hotel businesses, including trademark registrations for “St. Regis” in 80 countries worldwide.