WTR Industry Awards shortlist; Pandabuy raids updates; Weixin brand protection report; and much more

Everything we covered on WTR over the past seven days, and all you need to know from the world of trademarks to set yourself up for the start of another busy week.

Special Report

WTR’s new Special Report reveals what the future holds for brand protection on social media, offering insights and strategies to help brand owners mitigate the risks and seize future opportunities for brand growth in an evolving digital world.

Monday 15 April

After WTR broke the news that Chinese shopping agent Pandabuy had been raided following legal action from 16 brand owners, the investigation continued on Monday, with one community member claiming “nothing has hit the rep scene like this before”.

Meta’s battle for use of its name in Brazil highlights the importance of being first to file in the country.

We kick off our latest series of Legal Updates you may have missed by looking at cases that demonstrate the hurdles faced by owners of non-traditional trademarks.

Plus:

Tuesday 16 April 

Computer scientists at the University of Chicago have developed groundbreaking software that aims to help artists protect themselves from AI mimicry. 

We highlight recent success stories in the fashion and luxury industry – providing insights into parody products and the fight against counterfeit goods online. 

Meta expands its AI offering, the CHILI CRUNCH controversy comes to an end, Michigan cannabis companies face lawsuits, and more.

Plus:

Wednesday 17 April 

WTR reveals the in-house teams and individuals shortlisted for this year’s WTR Industry Awards.

The latest IP office updates see revisions to Saudi Arabia’s rejection procedure, discussions of a new Korea IP commissioner, Iraq modifying its payment process, and more.

Weixin’s annual brand protection report outlines the latest enhancements to its programme and efforts to crowdsource enforcement leads. 

Plus:

Thursday 18 April

IP budgets are forecast to rise in 2024, but trademark clearance looks set to cause headaches for in-house teams, according to a new impact study by UnitedLex.

UK police and Corsearch expand on their respective roles in the Pandabuy raids, as warehouses begin to reopen. 

After examining a number of fashion and luxury trademark successes, we consider recent cases where brand owners in the industry have failed to defend their rights. 

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Friday 19 April

We unpick Apple’s US litigation data to reveal the company’s success rates fighting for its rights before the district courts and the TTAB.

The so-called ‘Banksy of trademarks’ reveals plans to run for mayor of San Francisco, StockX issues its first anti-counterfeiting report, Casa Azul prevails in a tequila dispute, and more.

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Saturday 20 April 

This week’s opinion column argues that the current provisions of the US SHOP SAFE Act, while well-intentioned, may go too far in shifting counterfeiting liability onto e-commerce sites.