PatentsMiddle East
Legal battle ends as court finds insufficient evidence that Pinkfong’s viral Baby Shark tune infringed on earlier US composition
The South Korean Supreme Court has ruled against US songwriter Jonathan Wright’s copyright infringement claim against Pinkfong, the creator of the globally popular Baby Shark song. The court upheld prior decisions, concluding Wright’s version did not qualify as a protectable derivative work and that Pinkfong’s adaptat…
PatentsAfrica
Ghanaian IP expert Loretta Asiedu takes helm at WIPO Africa Division, aiming to transform Africa’s innovation economy through strategic intellectual property initiatives
Loretta Asiedu, a Ghanaian legal expert with two decades of experience in international intellectual property law, has been appointed Director of the Africa Division at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Her leadership is expected to drive transformative IP policies that support Africa’s industrial g…
PatentsAfrica
Experts emphasize that updating IP frameworks is vital to unlocking growth and innovation within Africa’s social enterprise sector.
As Africa’s social enterprises continue to expand, stakeholders highlight the urgent need for intellectual property reforms to support innovation, protect creators, and drive sustainable development across the continent.
PatentsIndia
Court finds Atomberg’s Renesa fan design lacks novelty due to prior publication and trade variant status, dismissing appeal against Luker Electric Technologies
The Bombay High Court dismissed Atomberg Technologies’ appeal challenging the refusal of an interim injunction in a design infringement and passing off suit against Luker Electric Technologies. The court ruled that Atomberg’s registered design for the Renesa ceiling fan was not novel, citing prior public disclosures a…
PatentsUSA
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rules in favor of OpenAI, invalidating rival’s trademark and enjoining use of ‘Open AI’ branding by Open Artificial Intelligence Inc.
A U.S. District Court in California has affirmed OpenAI’s trademark rights, finding that a competing tech firm, Open Artificial Intelligence Inc., infringed on the brand by using a confusingly similar name. The court permanently enjoined the smaller company from using the ‘Open AI’ mark, canceled its trademark registr…
PatentsSoutheast Asia
A detailed exploration of Southeast Asia’s manufacturing strengths, OEM expansion strategies, and critical IP considerations for businesses relocating operations.
ASEAN’s diverse manufacturing landscape offers unique advantages across its member states, from Vietnam’s high-tech prowess to Indonesia’s labor-intensive assembly and Cambodia’s emerging IP protections. This article outlines the five-year operational journey of OEMs in the region and highlights essential factors for…
PatentsMiddle East
The Korean entertainment giant establishes CJ ENM Middle East in Riyadh, aiming to deepen cultural collaborations and entertainment ventures across the MENA region.
CJ ENM has inaugurated its first wholly-owned subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, marking a strategic move to accelerate the spread of Korean culture and entertainment in the Middle East. The Riyadh-based entity will spearhead collaborations in music, television, film, and live events, leveraging partnerships with local compa…
PatentsIndia
Court finds deceptive similarity and interim order violations in dispute over electrolyte drink branding involving ERSI and ElectroORS
In a significant trademark infringement ruling, the Delhi High Court awarded Johnson & Johnson Pte. Ltd. a permanent injunction against defendants Abbireddi Satish Kumar and others for unauthorized use of marks confusingly similar to J&J’s ORSL brand. The court also imposed damages totaling Rs. 1.21 crore and actual l…
PatentsGlobal
The Japanese government’s new IP strategy aims to empower startups and universities, introducing potential legal changes affecting jointly owned patents between academia and compa…
On June 3, 2022, Japan announced its Intellectual Property Strategic Program 2022, outlining eight core policies to enhance IP creation, protection, and utilization. Notably, the program proposes reforms to facilitate startups’ access to university-developed technologies and introduces a controversial provision allowi…
PatentsUSA
Court applies Supreme Court’s Abitron ruling to bar trademark infringement damages where infringing products are marketed and sold solely outside the United States
In a significant trademark ruling, the Ninth Circuit upheld a geographic limitation on damages under the Lanham Act, confirming that U.S. courts cannot award infringement damages for products manufactured domestically but marketed and sold exclusively overseas. The decision in Doctor’s Best, Inc. v. Nature’s Way, LLC…
PatentsMiddle East
Korean Intellectual Property Office Commissioner Kim Wanki forges new cooperation agreements with Middle Eastern, African, and Indian IP offices to enhance patent examination and…
At the 66th WIPO General Assembly in Geneva, KIPO Commissioner Kim Wanki conducted bilateral meetings with intellectual property leaders from seven Global South countries. Agreements include memoranda of understanding with the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Office and the Indian Patent Office, focusing on patent exam…
PatentsEurope
Recent rulings highlight the complex interplay between utility patents and trade dress claims, underscoring opportunities for trademark protection beyond patent disclosures
While utility patents protect functional aspects of inventions, trademarks safeguard distinctive non-functional product features. Courts continue to navigate tensions when trade dress claims overlap with patented designs, as seen in Abbott Labs. v. Revitalyte LLC, where trade dress protection survived a motion to dism…
PatentsSoutheast Asia
Korean companies face rising challenges from preemptive trademark filings abroad, with China and Southeast Asia as hotspots
The number of unauthorized preemptive registrations of Korean trademarks abroad has sharply increased, reaching record levels in 2023. This trend threatens the global expansion of K-beauty, K-fashion, and food brands, causing costly legal battles and potential brand damage. China leads in cases and financial losses, f…
PatentsMiddle East
Robust growth in manufacturing and industrial exports signals Oman’s successful economic diversification and regulatory modernization efforts
Oman’s manufacturing sector expanded by 8.6% in fiscal year 2024-25, attracting OMR 2.48 billion (US$6.45 billion) in foreign direct investment. Supported by digital platforms, regulatory reforms, and targeted industrial programs under Vision 2040, the sector’s contribution to GDP reached 10% in 2024. The government’s…
PatentsIndia
The newest IP STARS rankings from Managing IP spotlight top patent practitioners and notable firm movements in the intellectual property landscape.
Managing IP has published the latest edition of its IP STARS rankings, an authoritative accreditation recognizing excellence in patent work. The updated list identifies leading firms and individuals making significant strides in patent prosecution and strategy, reflecting evolving dynamics in the IP sector.
PatentsSoutheast Asia
International law firm Morrison & Foerster strengthens its global footprint, offering comprehensive expertise in finance, litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory matters
Morrison & Foerster, a leading international law firm, operates from major business centers across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The firm provides extensive legal services spanning banking and finance, intellectual property, litigation, regulatory compliance, and more. Serving a diverse client base including Fortune…
PatentsLatin America
Mexico-based OLIVARES law firm combines legal and scientific proficiency to deliver innovative IP, regulatory, and commercial solutions across diverse industries
OLIVARES, headquartered in Mexico City, stands at the forefront of intellectual property and regulatory law in Mexico. With a multidisciplinary team of over 50 legal professionals, the firm offers specialized services spanning patents, trademarks, litigation, regulatory compliance, and digital rights. OLIVARES has pla…
PatentsMiddle East
President Trump’s May 2025 visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE yielded up to $2 trillion in economic commitments, emphasizing U.S.-Gulf partnerships while highlighting impl…
President Trump’s May 2025 Gulf tour focused on securing massive investment deals totaling approximately $2 trillion across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. These agreements span defense, technology, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence sectors, aiming to deepen U.S.-Gulf economic ties and counterbalance China…
