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European Union – Trade marks. The proceedings concerned a dispute over trade mark 'PINTEREST'. The claimant used the trade mark in relation to a social networking website and to applications. The first defendant applied to register the trade mark as a Community trade mark (CTM). The claimant brought a claim in the English court for passing off against the defendants. They applied to strike out or for summary judgment dismissing two issues raised by defendants' defence, only one of which was live. The defendants applied for a stay of the proceedings pending the final determination of the CTM application. The Chancery Division held that the registration of a CTM conferred no positive right to use that mark and did not provide a defence to a claim for passing off or unfair competition. In all the circumstances, it declined to stay the English proceedings. Allowing the English proceedings to proceed would produce commercial certainty in the UK much more quickly than the claimant's opposition to the defendants' CTM application would do.
European Union – Trade marks. The proceedings concerned a dispute over trade mark 'PINTEREST'. The claimant used the trade mark in relation to a social networking website and to applications. The first defendant applied to register the trade mark as a Community trade mark (CTM). The claimant brought a claim in the English court for passing off against the defendants. They applied to strike out or for summary judgment dismissing two issues raised by defendants' defence, only one of which was live. The defendants applied for a stay of the proceedings pending the final determination of the CTM application. The Chancery Division held that the registration of a CTM conferred no positive right to use that mark and did not provide a defence to a claim for passing off or unfair competition. In all the circumstances, it declined to stay the English proceedings. Allowing the English proceedings to proceed would produce commercial certainty in the UK much more quickly than the claimant's opposition to the defendants' CTM application would do.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
