"Ugly but beautiful" Crocs shoes not eligible for trademark protection *

Italy - October 25 2012
The Court of Venice dismissed Crocs' trademark infringement claims against two distributors of similar shoes. As the shape of Crocs' well-known shoes provided substantial value to them, they were not eligible for trademark protection.

Co-authors: Maria Luigia Franceschelli.

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Coexistence of "Bavaria Holland Beer" trademark and the geographical indication "Bayerisches Bier" in Europe? *

Germany, Italy - January 27 2012
In the multi-jurisdictional dispute between Bayerischer Brauerbund e.V. (Bavarian Brewers Association) who enjoys protected geographical indication (PGI) status for the term "Bayerisches Bier" ("Bavarian Beer") and the Dutch brewer Bavaria N.V. which owns the international trademark registration "BAVARIA HOLLAND BEER" for its beers, the German Federal Court of Justice and the Italian Court of Appeal of Turin ruled on the validity of Bavaria's trademark.

Co-authors: Yvonne Draheim.

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Sale of fake design products - with or without a trademark or design registration - is a criminal offence in Italy *

Italy - July 21 2011
The Italian Supreme Court issued a decision enhancing the protection for design products under Italian criminal law.

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Italy implements opposition procedure to trademark registration *

Italy - July 21 2011
The news has been bouncing back and forth between law firms, national Patent and Trademark Offices and IP research centers: Italy has finally implemented the trademark opposition procedure, getting in line with most EU countries.

Co-authors: Carolina Cordero di Vonzo.

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Diamonds are forever, a non-used reputed mark, too *

Italy - April 14 2011
In 2008, the Dutch company Creative Brands C.V. brought proceedings against Damiani International B.V. (Damiani), a leading company in the jewelry sector, before the Court of Milan.

Co-authors: Alberto Bellan.

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