IP and IT News

Burberry and Louis Vuitton lose counterfeiting case in Singapore

WIPR – 9 January

In a recent decision by the Supreme Court of Singapore, Burberry and Louis Vuitton have lost their trade mark dispute appeal. The two brands had accused Megastar Shipping of handling over 15,000 counterfeit products which were headed to Indonesia.

Brexit: risk flagged over websites and email access

Out Law – 9 January

Recent guidance prepared by the UK government has flagged risks over current website and email access, claiming Brexit might impact businesses’ being able to access their own sites. Registering web address rooted in the .eu domain is restricted under EU law and could be revoked if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.

German cyber-attack: man admits massive data breach, say police

The Guardian – 8 January

A man has admitted to instigating one of Germany’s biggest data breaches, where nearly 1,000 public figures had their data leaked. The 20-year-old has been accused of spying, leaking data and publication of personal data. The interior minister, Horst Seehofer, has claimed that the attack was made easier by the simplicity of many of the passwords.

UK confirms tax relief cap for acquired goodwill

Out Law – 3 January

Government amendments to the Finance Bill 2019 have confirmed that tax relief will be re-introduced in the UK for ‘goodwill acquired on a business purchase’ and will be capped at six time the value of intellectual property. Out Law discuss the amendment in more detail and how it will affect unregistered trade marks.

Patenting Inventions In Space

Reddie & Grose – 3 January

As technologies invented for space travel and research continue to expand (the sector is expected to be worth $700 billion by 2013), Reddie & Grose discuss patenting inventions in space. International space law is currently based on treaties, predominantly negotiated by the United Nation’s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).