Insights & News

A trademark can influence customer choices, support pricing and strengthen loyalty, but how can its impact be measured and, more importantly, how can that impact be translated into financial value?

Igor Charles and Fatima Chirazi of INLEX report on the rejection of Decathlon’s design, unfair competition, and parasitism claims over snorkelling masks, confirming a narrow scope of protection where design freedom is constrained

Social media-fuelled demand for luxury counterfeits such as the ‘Takealot Tirkin’ is reshaping consumer culture across Africa and raising pressing questions for brands. Haadya Mosafeer of INLEX finds a potential answer in Mauritius’ response

The Paris Court of Appeal recently declared a French trademark registration for ‘Richard Mille’ entirely invalid, confirming that the filing had been made fraudulently and in disregard of an earlier, well-established sign. The decision (No. RG 24/04961, of October 29 2025) is noteworthy as it revisits the infringement of a trademark enjoying reputation and clarifies the evidentiary approach to fraudulent filings.

In a judgment rendered on May 2, 2025, in case R 140/2025-5, the EUIPO Board of Appeal annulled a decision to refuse registration of a trademark “Matisse” on the grounds of inconsistent, absent and insufficient grounds.

In a judgment rendered on February 7, 2025, in case RG No. 22/09210, the Judicial Court of Paris ruled that Blao&Co was guilty of copyright and trademark infringement to the detriment of HERMES for the marketing of its “Paisley Jane” bag.

In a judgment dated December 11, 2024 (Case T:2024:890), the EU General Court found that the EU trademark application Glasshütte Original was devoid of distinctive character for the goods and services it designated, and rejected its registration.

Trademark law plays a pivotal role in protecting brands and fostering fair competition in the global marketplace. As business becomes increasingly international, the need for harmonization of trademark law and practice across jurisdictions become more apparent.

The world of intellectual property rights (IPRs) is continuously evolving, influenced by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and global trends. In recent years, we have witnessed significant shifts in the landscape of copyrights, particularly in the context of digital content creation and distribution.