CIPO begins Pilot Project on Expungement Proceeding
Canada’s Trademarks Opposition Board has announced a new pilot project according to which it will send non-use cancellation notices to a randomly selected sample of registered trademark owners. The stated purpose of the project is to help ensure that the Canadian trademark register “accurately reflects trademarks that are in use, and in association with the goods and services listed in the registration.”
Greece began 2025 with a significant diplomatic and economic win as the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) overturned the trademark registration of “TurkAegean,” a tourism slogan secured by Turkey in December 2021. The EUIPO’s ruling, issued on January 9, invalidated the trademark across six categories – advertising, media, transportation services, education, hospitality, and legal services. The decision marks a milestone in a contentious cultural and geopolitical dispute between Greece and Turkey over the shared legacy of the Aegean Sea. The Turkish authorities now have two months to file an appeal and an additional four months to provide written justification if they choose to contest the ruling.
Puma filed a notice against Woods’s brand, claiming “consumer confusion is likely between the Challenged Marks and the Leaping Cat logo.” Puma filed a last-minute notice of opposition against Woods’s brand, according to a filing on Jan. 2, saying the Sun Day Red logo resembles the emblem that Puma has been using for 56 years. This halts Sun Day Red’s attempts to trademark its symbol.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries has acquired the DUNLOP trademark and other rights for four-wheel vehicle tires from Goodyear in Europe, North America, and Oceania for $526 million. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance the global presence of the DUNLOP brand, increase the production of premium products, and strengthen Sumitomo’s brand strategies across its tire and sports businesses.