World Trademark Review – The fact that two marks cover different classes is not a determining criterion when examining the risk of confusion

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DETAILS

DATE: 30-09-2020

CORRALROSALES IN THE NEWS:

-Katherine González

Our associate Katherine González publishes an article in the specialized media World Trademark Review in which she comments on SENADI’s decision to reject Discovery’s opposition against the registration of the trademark DOKI MAS LOGOTIPO, based on its previous trademark DOKI. On appeal, the Intellectual Property Office ruled that the fact that two trademarks belong to different classes does not necessarily imply that there is no confusion between them and that there was a direct relationship between their goods and services.

In the text, González explains that, initially, SENADI granted the registration of the DOKI MAS LOGOTIPO brand for class 44 services; SENADI considered that there was no risk of confusion with the DOKI registered trademark, since the latter belonged to a different class. In the appeal to this registration, the Intellectual Property Office accepted the opponent’s arguments and established that the fact that two trademarks that belong to different classes is not a determining criterion to assess the risk of confusion between them.

“In the first instance, SENADI rejected the opposition and granted the registration because there was no risk of confusion or association for consumers. Despite the fact that the trademarks shared an identical word element, they covered products / services of different classes. Discovery appealed this decision presenting a clear and detailed list of the products and services in question and arguing that, despite the difference in classes, the trademarks were intended to protect the products and services that were directly related and complementary “, details our associate.

“The decision confirms the importance of carrying out a detailed and specific analysis in each case, in the event of possible trademark litigation,” adds González, who believes that this decision is very important due to the large number of products offered for sale online.

If you want to see the article (under registration), click here.

LexLatin – It is now possible to cancel commercial names due to lack of use in Ecuador

DETAILS

DATE: 20-08-2020

CORRALROSALES IN THE NEWS: 

-Katherine González

MEDIA: Lex Latin

The LexLatin communication medium publishes an article by our associate Katherine González detailing the modification regarding the possibility of canceling commercial names due to lack of use in Ecuador. Previously, the National Service for Intellectual Rights (also known as SENADI) did not process this type of cancellation request since “the authority considered that the rights were acquired with their use.”

After having studied the possibility of carrying it out, the Court of Justice of the Andean Community has determined that trade names may be canceled if they have ceased to be used at a certain time and provided that a series of requirements are met.

Before this new ruling was published, if you applied for a trademark similar to a registered trade name but in disuse, the owner of said trademark had to oppose this fact. Likewise, having filed an opposition or not, the refusal of the trademark was considered due to the similarity to one already registered and, therefore, there was no option to register this new trademark.

As our associate explains, before taking any action it is necessary to bear in mind “that trade names are independent of the business name or determination of the companies and may be the same or different”.

“One of the solutions provided by the users to counteract this type of inconvenience was the presentation of cancellation actions for lack of use against registered trade names. For these matters, SENADI had no maintained a uniform criterion, in most cases these actions were inadmissible because it considered that the registration of a commercial name loses its validity and effectiveness as soon as use ceases, therefore, the cancellation was not legally appropriate, ”González points out.

Now, the criteria have changed and trade names may be canceled due to lack of use in Ecuador.

Ahora, los criterios han cambiado y se podrán cancelar nombres comerciales por falta de uso en Ecuador.

If you want to read the full article, click here