CAP cracks down on HFSS food and drink ads
Wave goodbye to your favourite characters featuring in junk food ads. CAP’s ban on the advertising of HFSS food and drinks to children begins in July 2017. Chloe Deng reports.
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Ofcom considers Countdown host Nick Hewer’s namechecks
A Countdown show opened with host Nick Hewer mentioning the Ideal Home exhibition in favourable terms. Did this breach “undue prominence” rules? Thomas Spanyol reports on the Ofcom investigation and its outcome.
New tobacco packaging controls come into force
Following an unsuccessful last-ditch court challenge by cigarette manufacturers, plain packaging for all cigarette packs is now UK law. The tobacco industry brands the regime disproportionate and says it will appeal. Ben Dunham reports.
M&S and Auchan fight over use of “Simply”
ISMS owns the Auchan supermarket brand and operates over 2000 “Simply Market” stores in France and beyond. It claimed M&S infringed its trade mark by sales in France of “Simply M&S” products. Vincent le Bars of Osborne Clarke Paris reports.
DC Comics and Marvel back down in “Superhero” battle
Businessman Graham Jules did not roll over when the world’s leading superhero comic publishers threatened to sue over the title of his self-help manual “Business zero to superhero.” Kate Robinson reports on the gripping denouncement.
Grenade energy drink litigation raises two key points
“Grenade Energy Ltd (“GEL”) was the registered company name of the drinks business sued by competitor IPEC Grenade UK. IPEC had “Grenade” trade mark registrations. Could the sole shareholder and director be personally liable? Thomas Spanyol reports.
Australia defines “free range egg”
Following an A$300,000 penalty on Derodi Pty and Holland Farms Pty and an order to publish corrective advertising, there is a new Australian national standard definition of “free range egg.” Can a UK court order corrective advertising in similar cases? Chloe Deng reports.
BMW sues BMW specialist Technosport London Ltd over use of BMW brands
“Technosport are the BMW and Mini specialist garage for servicing & maintenance in London” says the search engine result. How much use can a non-authorised garage make of car brands? Kate Robinson reports the judgement in BMW vs Technosport.
Ofcom probes “Cab My Ride” and “MYX Fusions Moscato” references
Did channels “That’s Solent” (local TV) and “Flava” (music) breach “undue prominence” rules for brand references in editorial? Barney Sich reports on Ofcom’s investigations and the outcomes.
“Hot Sox” trade mark for hosiery challenged
ECJ limits Daimler AG’s trade mark rights against Budapest dealer
ECJ limits Daimler AG’s trade mark rights against Budapest dealer Egyud Garage became a former authorised Mercedes Benz dealer. Egyud took steps to stop unauthorised online ads that continued to claim this. Daimler wasn’t satisfied and sued. How far was Egyud obliged to go? Stephen Groom reports.
Frankfurt Higher Court considers Deuter Sport’s controls over distributors
Deuter Sport GmbH sought to stop its distributors selling Deuter products on online marketplaces such as Amazon and, unless Deuter consented in each case, on price comparison platforms. Were these controls sustainable under EU competition law? Tobias Rothkegel reports.
