This chapter considers one element of the action of passing off with respect to trade marks: the requirement that there be a misrepresentation. It first describes the type of conduct that amounts to misrepresentation and the consequences that flow from that conduct, as well as the types of suggestion that are actionable. It then discusses the requirement that a statement must be likely to cause confusion in order to qualify as a misrepresentation. In addition, the chapter explains how passing off action can be brought not only against a person who carries out the misrepresentation, but also against anyone who provides the means for the misrepresentation to occur (such as by providing instruments of deception).
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Chapter
33. Misrepresentation
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
Chapter
12. Relative grounds for refusal of registration
This chapter analyses the relative grounds for refusal of trade marks from registrability. Whilst absolute grounds are concerned with an analysis of a proposed mark's innate qualities, covering defects in the mark as such, relative grounds involve a comparison of the mark with prior rights. In particular, relative grounds occur when a mark applied for is already in use or when a similar mark is already in use. The chapter notes that s. 5 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 recognises three instances in which relative grounds for refusal will succeed: where the sign is identical to an earlier sign and the goods and/or services applied for are also identical; where the sign is identical to an earlier sign and the goods and/or services applied for are similar; and where the sign is similar to an earlier sign and the goods and/or services applied for are identical or similar.
Chapter
20. Trade mark issues
This chapter focuses on trade mark protection in the United Kingdom and its operation in the context of Internet related activities. Trade marks constitute a key component of the system of intellectual property rights. The present law is to be found in the Trade Marks Act 1994, which was introduced in order to enable the United Kingdom to comply with its obligations under the 1988 EC Directive to Approximate the Laws of the Member States Relating to Trade Marks. The chapter discusses the effect of trade marks; the doctrine of passing off; trade marks and information technology; Internet-related trade mark disputes; the uniform dispute resolution rules; and trade marks and Internet search engines.
Chapter
1. Themes in intellectual property
This chapter begins with a historical overview of intellectual property rights. It traces the origin and evolution of the patent system, trade marks, and the copyright system, and then turns to the definition and justification of intellectual property, followed by a discussion of the current economic importance of intellectual property.
Chapter
35. Trade Mark Registration
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter focuses on the process of registration for trade marks in the United Kingdom, including changes introduced by the UK leaving the EU, as well as international protection. It begins by explaining the procedures and documentation needed in filing trade mark applications at the national and international levels, while outlining the examination process. After considering national registration, the international filing systems established under the Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Marks of 1891 and the Madrid Protocol of 1989 are described. The chapter concludes by presenting possible avenues through which to acquire trade mark protection.
Chapter
40. Infringement
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter deals with trade mark infringement, as set out in sections 10(1)-(3) of the Trade Marks Act 1994. It first outlines a non-exhaustive list of the situations in which a person uses a sign, such as affixing the sign to the goods or to the packaging; importing or exporting goods under the sign; or using the sign on business papers or in advertising. It then discusses how the claimant’s and defendant’s marks may be identified for comparison purposes, and the range of situations in which an infringement claim is viable, including when a mark is used in a relevant manner, in the course of trade, within the territory of the UK, and in relation to goods and services. Finally, it examines the functions of a trade mark, commencing with the ‘origin’ function. It concludes by considering secondary or accessory liability for trade mark infringement, especially relevant for Internet platforms.
Chapter
19. Intellectual Property Law
This chapter considers the major intellectual property rights in the UK and the protection the law gives to these rights. It explains the meaning of copyright, patents, trade marks, and design rights, and considers the types of works that might be protected by them. It explains whether the rights need to be registered and if so the process of registration. It examines the time limits for the protection of the various rights and the remedies available for infringement of them. It also considers the protection the law gives to intellectual property via the tort of passing off. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the possibilities of protecting intellectual property rights outside the UK.
Chapter
1. Introduction to copyright
This introductory chapter provides an overview of copyright protection. It discusses how United Kingdom copyright law has developed from the mid-16th century onward. The purpose of giving this account is to highlight two recurring themes: firstly, the law's struggle to keep up with changing technology; and, secondly, the effect of external influences on domestic law. The chapter then looks at the theoretical justifications for copyright and the extent to which they accord with the current law, and the principal characteristics of copyright, including the crucial difference between protecting an idea and protecting the expression of that idea. There are a number of aspects of copyright that do not apply to other intellectual property rights like patents and trade marks. Understanding these differences will help one in distinguishing between the different types of intellectual property right.
Chapter
10. Registration of a ‘sign’
This chapter discusses the registration of trade marks. Unlike passing off protection that is not subject to formalities, trade marks ought to be registered in order to receive legal protection. Whether a trade mark is capable of registration depends on three requirements. First, whether the subject matter of the application satisfies the definition of ‘trade mark’ in s. 1 of the Trade Marks Act 1994; second, whether there are any objections to the application under the absolute grounds for refusal in s. 3; and third, whether there are any prior rights which could prevent registration under the relative grounds for refusal in s. 5. The chapter then presents an outline of the registration procedure. In essence, the procedure can be broken down into six steps: application and filing of Form TM3; examination; search and notification of prior rights; publication and notification to owner(s) of prior rights; opposition; and registration.
Chapter
11. Absolute grounds for refusal of registration
This chapter examines the absolute grounds for refusal of trade marks from registrability, which are found in s. 3 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA). The chapter lists objections to registrability based on the mark's own characteristics. To be refused registration, the mark should possess some innate quality which prevents registration. For instance, the mark applied for may be descriptive, generic, or it may lack distinctiveness. Marks that go against public policy or marks that are immoral will also be refused protection. The TMA also contains a number of negative objections in contrast to its predecessor, which required an applicant to show that the mark applied for was positively entitled to registration.
Chapter
14. Registration and Use of the Trade Mark
Justine Pila and Paul L.C. Torremans
This chapter discusses the acquisition of a trade mark. EU law distinguishes between the product or service to which the trade mark is applied on the one hand, and the trade mark on the other hand. One needs first of all to be in the presence of a sign, something that can be applied to the product or service and that can convey information. The cornerstone of the matter is that the sign should be distinctive as to origin. The main objective of trade mark law is to enable rights holders and consumers to distinguish the source of identical goods or services with a different origin. The remainder of the chapter covers unregistrable marks, absolute grounds for refusal of registration, relative grounds for refusal of registration, applying for a Community trade mark, and uses of trade marks.
Chapter
2. The international and European framework
This chapter considers the international aspects of intellectual property rights. It summarizes the various international conventions, treaties, agreements, and protocols that are in place, all of which are administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The chapter also discusses European initiatives in the areas of patents, trade marks, industrial designs, and copyright.
Chapter
19. The relationship between intellectual property rights and competition law
This chapter considers the relationship between intellectual property rights and competition law. After a brief introduction, it deals in general terms with the application of Article 101 to licences of intellectual property rights. The chapter proceeds to discuss the provisions of Regulation 316/2014, the block exemption for technology transfer agreements. It also considers the application of Article 101 to various other agreements concerning intellectual property rights such as technology pools and settlements of litigation. This is followed by a section on the application of Article 102 to the way in which dominant undertakings exercise their intellectual property rights, including an examination of the controversial subject of refusals to license intellectual property rights which are sometimes found to be abusive. The chapter concludes with a look at the position in UK competition law.
Book
Lionel Bently, Brad Sherman, Dev Gangjee, and Phillip Johnson
Intellectual Property Law provides a detailed analysis of intellectual property law with reference to a wide range of academic opinion, giving a broad context for exploring the key principles of the subject. The book covers a number of areas of intellectual property law including copyright, patents, the legal regulation of designs, trade marks and passing off, confidential information, misuse of private information, and litigation and remedies. In this sixth edition, the introduction has been updated to take account of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. Important developments covered include CJEU decisions on the concept of a copyright work, communication to the public, digital exhaustion and defences, and the Court of Appeal’s analysis of joint authorship.
Chapter
32. Passing Off
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter focuses on the tort of passing off as a legal regime for the protection of trade marks. It considers three elements that are required in order to succeed in an action for passing off: the claimant has ‘goodwill’; the defendant made a ‘misrepresentation’ that is likely to deceive the public; and the misrepresentation damages the goodwill of the claimant. It also surveys the law in relation to goodwill. This chapter discusses manifestations of goodwill and describes goodwill associated with packaging, get-up, and trade dress as well as advertising style. It concludes by analysing the scope and ownership of goodwill, together with goodwill as a form of property.
Chapter
36. Subject Matter
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter discusses three requirements that a sign must satisfy to be validly registered or, if it is already registered, to ensure that it is not subsequently declared invalid: there is a sign; the sign can be represented adequately; and the sign must be capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings. The chapter also considers specific policy-based limits on the registration of shapes or other characteristics of products, in the form of three ‘functionality’ exclusions. It also briefly outlines certification and collective marks.
Chapter
37. Absolute Grounds for Refusal
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter examines the ‘absolute’ grounds for refusing to register a trade mark as set out in section 3 of the Trade Marks Act 1994. It first looks at the reasons for denying an application for trade mark registration before analysing the absolute grounds for refusal, which can be grouped into three general categories: whether the sign falls within the statutory definition of a trade mark found in sections 1(1) and 3(1)(a) and (2) of the Trade Marks Act 1994; whether trade marks are non-distinctive, descriptive, and generic; and whether trade marks are contrary to public policy or morality, likely to deceive the public, or prohibited by law, or if the application was made in bad faith. Provisions for specially protected emblems are also considered.
Chapter
39. Revocation
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter examines revocation as a reason for removing a mark from the register and the grounds for revocation as set out in section 46 of the Trade Marks Act 1994. It begins by discussing the first ground on which a mark may be revoked: ‘non-use’ (the trade mark has not been used for five years following the date of completion of the registration). It considers the relevant period of non-use and proper reasons for non-use, along with the issue of rewriting the specification with respect to goods and services. The chapter then looks at the second ground for the revocation of trade marks: if the mark has become the ‘common name in the trade’ (that is, generic marks). The final reason for revocation is if the mark has been used in a way that misleads the public (that is, deception is involved).
Chapter
42. Exploitation and Use of Trade Marks
L. Bently, B. Sherman, D. Gangjee, and P. Johnson
This chapter is concerned with the exploitation and use of trade marks under the Trade Marks Act 1994. It first considers the ownership of trade marks and ‘unregistered marks’ and the problems that arise in relation to co-ownership. It then describes the ways in which trade marks and ‘unregistered marks’ can be exploited (self-exploitation, assignment, voluntary licences, compulsory licences, mortgages, testamentary dispositions) as well as the limitations placed on the uses that can be made of a trade mark. Registration of interests and transactions is also discussed, and UK competition law is compared with that in Europe. In addition, the chapter presents a list of terms that are commonly used in trade mark licence agreements and the approach that competition law takes towards them. Finally, it outlines trade mark delimitation agreements.
Chapter
18. Privacy and control of information
This chapter considers the extent to which individuals can and should be able to prevent others referring to them and their activities and, conversely, the extent to which individuals and companies should be able to commercialise and control a reputation that they have built up. The discussions cover the evolving right to personal privacy (through the tort of misuse of private information) and its base in human rights, particularly in respect of photographs; obtaining and dealing with trade marks in respect of well-known personalities; the relationship between passing off and endorsement and merchandising; and the extent to which individuals and businesses can and do control the use of their image through endorsement and sponsorship. The chapter also considers data protection in this context, as well as the balancing of privacy and freedom of expression.
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