European country-code registries continue to implement practical measures in response to the NIS2 Directive. This update reviews the latest changes affecting .DE, .PT and .HR domain names, and explains what corporate domain portfolio managers need to do to remain compliant and avoid disruptions.
Professional footballers are building valuable portfolios of trademarks, domain names and digital assets. This article explores how intellectual property and Online Brand Protection help safeguard players against cybersquatting, counterfeiting and online fraud.
A recent decision of the Paris Judicial Court in Chanel v. Kamad Reworked provides important guidance on the legal limits of upcycling under trade mark law. The court held that incorporating Chanel-branded components into newly created jewellery resulted in the manufacture of an entirely different product, preventing reliance on the exhaustion of rights doctrine. The decision also highlights the limited effectiveness of disclaimers and authenticity certificates when a renowned trade mark remains the dominant element perceived by consumers. More broadly, the ruling reflects a growing international trend in which courts seek to balance sustainability objectives with the protection of trade mark owners’ investments, reputation, and brand value.
Starting on July 7, 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will assume responsibility for administering Nominet’s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) for .UK domain names. While the transition marks an important development in the management of UK domain name disputes, the DRS itself remains unchanged. Its rules, mediation process, expert panel, and appeal mechanism will all continue to operate as before. This article examines what is changing, what is not, and why the DRS remains one of the most distinctive domain name dispute resolution systems in the world.
Condemned to pay nearly USD 11 million, influencer Nicholas Tuinenberg found himself at the centre of a dispute involving counterfeiting, trade dress infringement, and influencer marketing. The case raises important questions about the evolving role of influencers in the promotion of infringing products and the growing legal risks faced by content creators in the digital marketplace.
A German court decision recognising copyright protection for the body shape of the Stratocaster, the historical limitations Fender encountered in its efforts to secure three-dimensional… Read More »Stratocaster: When Copyright Comes to the Rescue of an Iconic Shape
Trademark registration is only the beginning. In today’s digital marketplace, counterfeit products, fake listings and unauthorised uses of brands can spread rapidly across websites and e-commerce platforms. Effective monitoring and enforcement have become essential tools for protecting reputation, maintaining consumer trust and preserving brand value.
The .LATINO gTLD does not refer to a single territory or language. It evokes a transnational cultural space shaped by Latin languages, migration, music, media, and digital identities. As the sunrise period opens, some brands may see in .LATINO far more than just another domain name extension.
The delegation of .MERCK highlights a key shift in the new gTLD landscape. While co-management once emerged as a pragmatic solution to contention, the 2026 Applicant Guidebook now prohibits any communication between competing applicants. In closing a loophole, ICANN may also have removed the possibility of constructive cooperation.
Today, ICANN officially opens the application window for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), marking a major milestone for the domain name industry and brand owners… Read More »ICANN Opens the Application Window for New gTLDs
