Interview: Claus Eckhartt, Chair of the Vienna Annual Conference Team, explains what attendees can expect from the educational and social programme in Vienna next month.

MARQUES’ final comments on CP6 – Graphic Representation of a Design have been submitted, and it was a much shorter document than before. The submissions previously made by MARQUES had already largely been adopted into the final draft, as David Stone explains.

Janet Satterthwaite reviews two recent cases in the United States concerning trade marks that are alleged to be disparaging.

Geographical signs are a relatively recent concept in Turkey. Özlem Fütman of the GI Team explains how they are protected and looks at trends in applications and registrations.

Algeria’s accession brings the number of contracting parties to 95 and effectively means that from 31^st October the Madrid Protocol alone will govern the international registration of trade marks.

A number of new resources dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises are available via the OHIM website.

Indian company Micromax Informatics recently received the landmark registration.

Finnish double meanings, the Stolichnaya case in The Netherlands and a new Design Law in Israel were among the topics being discussed on the MARQUES Class 46 and Class 99 blogs this month.