MARQUES extends sympathies to all those who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting business and travel restrictions in many countries.
Given the challenges of working during this disruption, and the cancellation of a number of IP events, MARQUES has set up a Virtual Team to deliver new educational and networking resources to members.
Free webinars
These resources include a series of free webinars on issues relevant to members. The first, "Have your say on rights protection in the domain name system", was held on 23 April and was hosted by members of the Cyberspace Team
The next webinar will be on 14 May and will be on "Brand Protection in a Time of Turmoil". It is organised with Corsearch and will also feature members of the MARQUES Anti-Counterfeiting and Parallel Trade Team.
You can sign up for the webinar here. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other initiatives
Among the other initiatives already being developed are:
- A weekly "Virtual Coffee Break" email sent to members every Wednesday morning, which includes details of new publications and online events as well as contributions from members such as photos, tips on home working, music playlists and quizzes
- A Virtual Coffee Break page on the website, with pictures and news from members working from home (click on each picture to reveal the information)
- A video interview with MARQUES Chair Susie Harris, which can be viewed on the MARQUES homepage
- New publications from the MARQUES Teams and Task Forces, which will be summarised on the MARQUES blogs when they are available
- Interviews with leading figures about topical IP issues and plans
Further projects are due to be launched in the coming weeks: look out or announcements on the MARQUES website and by email and social media.
The MARQUES initiatives were featured in an article recently published in World Trademark Review, which included an interview with Susie Harris.
IP Office changes
As many members will be aware, many IP Offices have published new guidance and extended some deadlines in response to the pandemic.
In particular, WIPO has published information regarding the PCT, Madrid and Hague Systems and EUIPO has made announcements regarding the EUTM and RCD, including a Decision of the Executive Director extending time limits expiring between 1 and 17 May 2020 until 18 May 2020.
MARQUES has compiled a list linking to IP Office announcements regarding special measures adopted due to the pandemic. If you have any additions to this list, please send them to editor@marques.org.
Note that some events due to be held in the next few months have been cancelled or postponed, including the EUIPO IP Case Law Conference, which has been rescheduled to 15-16 October 2020 from 21-22 May. Registrations already made are maintained and will continue to be effective for the new dates.
Issue 112
MARQUES is launching new educational and networking initiatives to support members in the current crisis, including webinars and a weekly Virtual Coffee Break email. The next webinar is on Brand Protection in a Time of Turmoil and is on 14 May
Members of the MARQUES Anti-Counterfeiting and Parallel Trade Team have published two articles on the issue of counterfeit pharmaceuticals
WIPO is hosting a number of webinars that may be of interest to MARQUES members. Plus: Director General Francis Gurry has presented his annual report
On 29 April, Willem Leppink, who heads the MARQUES Anti-Fraud Task Force, and Alessandra Romeo, MARQUES External Relations Officer, joined the 5th Anti-Scam Network Meeting, led by EUIPO. MARQUES was also represented at the EUIPO User Group Meeting held on the same day
The CJEU has published rulings in the Coty v Amazon, Gomboc Kutato and Gugler France cases
The call for entries for the DesignEuropa Awards 2020 has been extended to 8 May
The MARQUES blogs include articles on recent developments in trade mark and design law, including updates from China, Turkey and Ecuador