Beginning August 11, 2022, the new gTLD “.kids” will become available for registration, creating a dedicated space for all things kids on the internet. It is an unrestricted TLD, meaning anyone can register and use the extension as long as the site abides by the rules of the registry regarding content limitations.More
Thai (.TH) Second Level Domain Re-Launch
The Thai registry re-launched 2nd level .TH domain names on June 1st, 2022 through July 31st, 2022. Previously, the .TH extension was restricted to IDN (non-Latin) characters only. THNIC is now allowing ASCII characters for .TH domain names, meaning English words are now available for registration with the .TH extension.More
Ninth Circuit affirms dismissal of copyright suit against Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse”
Christian hip-hop artists Marcus Gray (“Flame”), Emanuel Lambert, and Chike Ojukwu, composers of the song “Joyful Noise,” sued Katy Perry and others, claiming her hit song, “Dark Horse,” copied the ostinato – a short musical phrase consisting of eight notes – in plaintiffs’ song.More
Implementation of the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 by the USPTO Ushers in New Procedures that Aim to Remove Unused Trademarks from the Register
By Allison Strickland Ricketts
The Trademark Modernization Act (“TMA” or “Act”) enacted new expungement, reexamination and cancellation proceedings that can be deployed for the purpose of cancelling, in whole or in part, registrations for trademarks that are not in use for some or all of the goods and services in a registration:More
Changes in Registration Requirements for Turkish (.TR) Domain Name Registrations
Upcoming changes by the Turkish government will soon alter how some Turkish ccTLD domain name registrations are allocated and managed, following which such domain names will become available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Supporting documentation (such as proof of an existing Turkish trademark registration or Turkish business license) will no longer be required for ‘com.tr’,More
South Korea: New Guidelines for Software-Related Goods and Services
South Korea has amended its trademark examination guidelines to provide that the similarity between software-related goods and services must be determined on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the type and usage of the software.More
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit: Redbubble Could be Liable for Direct Infringement Arising From “Print-On-Demand” Service
By Roxana Monemdjou
Ohio State Univ. v. Redbubble, Inc., 6th Cir., No. 19-03388, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 5610 (Feb. 25, 2021)
Online shopping has transformed the U.S. marketplace and there are a variety of digital marketplaces that allow consumers to make purchases online.More
Canada: Expedited Examination Expanded
On December 14, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) issued a Practice Notice allowing trademark applicants to seek expedited examination for COVID-19-related goods and services, namely, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical protective equipment, or medical services and research services related to the prevention,More
China: Misuse of Trademark Administrative Procedure Can Contribute to Unfair Competition, Warranting Damages
Brita GmbH v. Shanghai Kangdian Industrial Co., Ltd.,(2017) Hu 0012 Minchu No. 26614 (Shanghai Min Hang District Court)
The Shanghai Min Hang District Court recently found that a Chinese company’s actions,More
South Korea: Supreme Court Decision Facilitates Pursuing Trademark Infringements
Case No. 2018Da253444, S. Korea Supreme Court (en banc), March 18, 2021.
The Korean Supreme Court issued a landmark decision holding that the use of a junior mark identical or similar to a senior registered trademark constitutes infringement if the junior use is without the senior holder’s consent,More