Wednesday Whimsies

You shall go to the ball..

1. The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published externally commissioned research looking into the demand for UK trade mark applications and renewals. UK Trade Mark Demand: An Analysis was carried out by the University of the West of England and Belmana Ltd. Due to an increase in trade mark applications, the IPO identified the need to forecast future trade mark applications to plan resource allocations. The report describes recent trends in trade mark registration and forecast results for 2017.

2. WIPO Director General Francis Gurry has welcomed an independent contribution by the Australian Government that has reinvigorated a fund supporting the participation of the world’s indigenous peoples in international negotiations hosted at WIPO, stating: “Australia’s donation underscores its dedication to ensuring that the voices of indigenous and local communities are delivered in person here at WIPO…”

3. This year's IP Ball will be held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, Holborn, London, on Saturday 15th July, and all IP professionals are welcomed.

4. Readers have no doubt been keeping up to date with the GS Media saga here. Tito Rendas (Catholic University of Portugal) examines the GS Media judgment in a recent publication How Playboy Photos Compromised EU Copyright Law: The GS Media Judgment, available here.

5. Interested in intellectual property in the fashion industry? The Fashion Law Masterclass takes place on Friday, 24 March 2017 at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design, 16-17 Greek Street, London.