Hong Kong – The wellknown mineral water brand VITTEL cannot stop the registration of the mark VITEV

09.28.2021

Hong Kong – The wellknown mineral water brand VITTEL cannot stop the registration of the mark VITEV

In an opposition, the trademark hearing officer held that the two marks are not confusingly similar though the goods under them respectively are same. The hearing officer further considered the goodwill of the VITTEL brand and confirmed that it is wellknown in Hong Kong. Having said that, the hearing officer held that despite the extent of goodwill enjoyed by VITTEL, in view of the low degree of similarity between the two marks, the public would unlikely be confused into believing that the Vitev goods are goods of the VITTEL or in some way connected with VITTEL. There is no misrepresentation.

China – Qingdao IP court pioneered in having expert juries co-hear a patent infringement lawsuit

In the past, the parties of a patent lawsuit in China would often have their own expert witnesses give statements in court in respect of the technical issues. In a hearing on 23 September 2021, the Qingdao IP court has the first time invited their own expert juries to assist the court to understand the technical issues in dispute. Though we call them juries, their role and duties is by no means close to the juries in the western concepts yet.