Nigeria has joined the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) as the 80th member of the leading international standard-setting organization in plant variety protection (PVP). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed Nigeria’s instrument of accession to the 1991 Act of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants that takes effect on March 27, 2025.
L.L.Bean files a lawsuit against 4imprint, alleging trademark infringement of its iconic ‘Boat and Tote’ bags. Discover the details of the case and its potential impact on both companies. L.L.Bean accuses 4imprint of ripping off its “Boat and Tote” trademark, which the retailer has used in connection with canvas carryall bags that it has marketed and sold since 1965.
EU General Court dismissed Mercedes Appeal on TM of G-Wagon Suv
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In a recent decision that underscores the European Union Intellectual Property Office (“EUIPO”)’s strict stance on distinctiveness, the European Union General Court dismissed Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s appeal, thereby, affirming the EUIPO’s refusal to register a figurative trademark depicting an off-road vehicle – specifically, the silhouette of Mercedes’ popular G-Wagon SUV – climbing a hill. The General Court’s decision reinforces the consistent line of EUIPO case law that mandates that “a minimum of distinctive character is sufficient for the absolute ground of refusal contained in [Article 7(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001] to be applicable.”