Trademark Infringement & Ip Management

Trademark Infringement and IP Management

By Kalyan C. Kankanala, Brain League IP Services.

© 2009 Brain League IP Services Pvt. Ltd.

Registration • • • • • • • • •

Preliminary search Filing Examination Objections Re-examination Acceptance Publication Opposition Grant

Trademark Infringement • Prior use of the trademark in commerce • Likelihood of confusion

Likelihood of confusion Factors 1. Strength of the mark Distinctiveness Famousness 2. Similarity of marks in sight, sound and meaning 3. Similarity of goods and services sold under the Marks 4. Similarity of the distribution channels or customers 5. Sophistication of the purchasers and expense of the product or service 6. Similarity of means and methods of advertising or promotion 7. Defendant's intention 8. Evidence of actual confusion

Remedies • Injunction • Damages • Attorney fees

Defenses • Generic mark • Third party uses of similar marks Equitable defenses • Laches • Acquiescence • Geographic remoteness

Related actions • Trade Dress • Counterfeiting • Trademark Dilution Tarnishment Blurring

Trademark Dilution • • • • • • • •

Inherent or Acquired distinctiveness Duration and extent of use Duration and extent of advertising Geographical extent of the trading area Channels of trade Recognition of the mark Nature and extent of use of the same or similar marks Registration

Other Actions • Cyber Squatting • Passing off

Passing off • • • •

Reputation or good will Misrepresentation Likelihood of confusion or Deception Damage

Rediff v. Radiff • • • • • •

Deceptively similar Same services Shopping Cricket scores Held as passing off Deceptive

Akash v. Yahoo • • • •

Yahoo India Intention to deceive Injunction granted Liable for passing off

Microsoft case • Microsoft.org • Held liable • Deceptive intent

IP Management

IP Policy and Process • • • •

Overall goal In tune with business goal Mechanisms Processes

Protection and Maintenance • Steps • Roles • Renewals

Commercialization • • • • • •

Self exploitation Licensing Assignment Pools Blocking Open source

Litigation • Invalidity • Declaration • Infringement

Thank you.