Intellectual Property

F1 champion Hamilton spins out in trademark rights showdown

It is not surprising a European court slammed the brakes on Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton’s attempt to sideswipe a renowned watchmaker’s trademark application, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. The…

Comparing an iconic apple to a pear in a trademark fight

Sometimes there is no difference between apples and oranges – or any other fruit – when it comes to protecting an iconic logo, especially if that logo belongs to Apple, says Toronto…

Trademark infringement and interlocutory injunctions

Recently we wrote about TFI Foods Ltd. v. Every Green International Inc. which saw the Federal Court grant an interlocutory injunction in a trademark infringement and passing off case. However, as we noted…

Copying online images to cut corners can come at a cost

Scraping photos from the internet to use with an online business is not only unscrupulous but can also be costly, as a Federal Court judgment illustrates, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John…

Cannabis company liable for using Toys R Us inspired trademark

A recent Federal Court ruling affirming the trademark rights of Toys R Us is a “textbook example” of a depreciation of goodwill case, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. Justice Nicholas…

Google adds more ammo in fight against online counterfeiting

A recent Google policy change provides a timely weapon in the long-running battle against online counterfeiters, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. Last month, the search engine giant introduced an update…

Legislation will provide long-awaited protection for trade secrets

Criminal Code provisions designed to protect trade secrets and confidential information will be a “valuable enforcement tool” in the battle against infringers, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. Draft legislation was…

University scores a ‘pyrrhic victory’ in long-running copyright case

A recent Federal Court of Appeal decision on copyright tariffs and fair dealing amounts to a double-edged victory for York University, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. The ruling in the…

It’s important to be careful when ‘sharing’ a trademark

Rights can be lost if an owner lets others use their trademark without a clear agreement on terms, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. In a recent court victory Simpson, principal…

Led Zeppelin’s copyright win turns out to be one for the records

Led Zeppelin’s victory in its long-running copyright infringement battle over Stairway to Heaven is in tune with what the law allows, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. “I’m not surprised. I…

IP right infringers will find it difficult to hide in internet shadows

An Ontario Court of Justice ruling ordering anonymous online posters to pay damages for defamatory statements made on an internet chat forum will help in the battle against online piracy, says Toronto…

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