“What’s in a name?”: Trademark Considerations for Rebranding a Business

Chiefs Win While Indigenous People Lose: Use of Indigenous Symbols, Names, and Practices in Sports

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Seek Global Trademark Protection of “Sussex Royal” Brand

My Super Bowl Pick and How it Relates to Trademarks

Glossier Tries Building Brand’s Image by Filing Two Trademark Applications for the Packaging of its Products

In early 2019, the beauty and skincare brand Glossier Inc. filed two trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) relating to the packaging of its goods. The first application was filed with respect to its pink-lined boxes, with the colour pink claimed as a feature of the mark. The second application […]

Can a Trademark Refusal Still be a Win? What Athletes are Teaching us About Trademark Refusals

Just Trademark It: Athletes Turning to Trademarks to Gain Competitive Edge

With the Kawhi Leonard saga officially coming to a close on July 10th after his signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, the city of Toronto, along with the rest of Canada, has been taking the last month to reflect on the past season and what one man meant to the Toronto Raptors, and basketball in […]

A Recipe for Protection - A look at trademarks in the restaurant industry

There’s no denying that the restaurant business is a primary gateway to the workforce for many, with well over 1.2 million Canadians being employed through this $80 billion industry. While the quality of a restaurant’s food is integral to the restaurant’s financial success, the strategic use of intellectual property (IP), particularly trademarks, can give a […]

Branding Names: from Air Jordan to Linsanity and Trump Toilets

2016 was a winning year for Western trademarks in China. It produced an unprecedented number of decisions – two, to be exact – in which China won praise for protecting foreign trademarks, affirming intellectual property rights, and developing a friendlier environment for international businesses. The only loser was trademark law itself, as the two decisions […]

Branding Linguistics: What Coca-Cola and Chinese Bakeries have in Common

The emergence of Chinese brands has become a global phenomenon. Not only are there exports to and local marketing within the Chinese diaspora and later generations, but Western businesses are also merging with and acquiring Chinese businesses and Western trademarks are engaging in brand extension or cross-branding with Chinese mark owners. In doing so, unexpected […]