BLOG | European Fashion Law

Nov 27, 20182 min read

Unregistered designs - the unknown but super useful IP right

Just under four years ago the UK Intellectual Property Office commissioned research to address the lack of existing data on design...

Nov 27, 20185 min read

There's a new IPO report on designs infringement - game-changer or stating the obvious?

Four years is a long time in politics but not a particularly long time in the land of government reports. Just under four years ago the...

Nov 25, 20186 min read

Star Athletica v Varsity Brands sent shockwaves through the fashion and copyright worlds but is it the game changing decision some have...

Nov 25, 20183 min read

How much is a photograph worth?

Photography cases have occupied a lot of the early years of the revamped IP Enterprise Court (or IPEC) more than any other type of case. ...

Nov 25, 20183 min read

How can you add new defendants to a claim?

Can you add defendants to a claim when their involvement was at the design stage of a product several years before the product was...

Nov 25, 20185 min read

Trade marks - the limits to the own name defence and groundless threats

Azumi Ltd v Zuma's Choice Pet Products Ltd [2017] EWHC 609 is a case about a dog's purpose. That dog is called Zuma. Zuma inspired Zoe...

Nov 25, 20187 min read

How can you protect data?

Data was described by The Economist as as the new oil. Every valuable asset tends to be protected by IP in some shape or form and data is...

Nov 25, 20186 min read

Domain names and Google Ads - what's the current position?

Can a US corporation selling construction software only in the Americas under the name ARGOS be sued for infringement of a registered...

Nov 25, 20182 min read

Using blockchain technology to manage IP rights

This article was first published on Lexis®PSL Intellectual Property on 25 September 2018. Click for a free trial of Lexis®PSL. What is...

Nov 23, 20185 min read

Sustainability, cocktails and the V&A

On Thursday evening, V&A members and their friends convened in the Members Room for an evening of inspiring discussion about fashion and...

Nov 6, 20182 min read

How do you get copyright protection?

Throughout Europe, and indeed in most jurisdictions worldwide, copyright arises automatically upon the creation of the work. Copyright is...

Oct 25, 20183 min read

Diving into sustainability

Fashion is the fifth most polluting industry in the world. The pace of pollution has accelerated in recent years due to a faster and more...

Oct 25, 20183 min read

Designs - what are they and how do they protect the fashion industry?

The fashion industry has obtained enormous benefits from the protection offered by design law in the European Union. But to say that...

Oct 23, 20183 min read

Sustainable fashion - the Unmade story

Unmade is transforming the fashion industry and creating a revolution in how people buy their clothes. I recently attended an event where...

Oct 14, 20186 min read

Argos goes to the Court of Appeal but leaves empty handed

Can a US corporation selling construction software only in the Americas under the name ARGOS be sued for infringement of a registered...

Sep 30, 20186 min read

Fashion, sustainability and the circular economy

I recently had the pleasure of attending a panel discussion which looked at sustainability and the circular economy in the fashion...

Sep 24, 20181 min read

Exhaustion of rights - a simple concept with important consequences

Exhaustion of rights is a concept which applies to all IP rights in Europe. Basically it means that if a product is sold ("put onto the...

Sep 3, 20181 min read

What trade mark should you register?

The most obvious and important trade marks to register are your brand name together with any logo you have adopted. It is wise to get...

Aug 25, 20181 min read

Trade marks and priority

An important feature of the trade mark system around the world is the six month priority period. This is incredibly helpful for all...

Aug 24, 20182 min read

What is a trade mark?

Trade marks give you the exclusive right to use a particular "sign" in your business for particular goods and services. They can...