INTRODUCTION The increasing use of function-oriented product descriptors in the cosmetics and personal care industry has intensified the tension between commercial branding practices and the distinctiveness requirement under trademark law. While descriptive expressions may effectively communicate a product's purpose or characteristics, they ordinarily remain incapable of distinguishing commercial origin and are therefore excluded from trademark protection, as granting a monop

Every ace at Wimbledon and every goal in a FIFA tournament is worth far more than the excitement it brings to fans. Behind every live sporting event lies a multi-million-dollar ecosystem of broadcasting rights, with media companies investing heavily for the privilege of exclusive live coverage. Yet, within moments of the first whistle or serve, unauthorised streams begin appearing across rogue websites, IPTV platforms and mobile applications, reaching viewers around the world

Introduction A trademark applicant and a trademark plaintiff often want opposite things from the same mark. At the counter of the Registry, the safest route to registration is to present the mark as an indivisible composite- a label, a device, a word fused to a stylized get-up and to insist examiners and opponents judge it as a whole. The applicant usually plays down the ordinary, descriptive, or common features and asks for credit on the overall impression. Yet when that reg

Introduction In today’s commercial climate, a brand is rarely just a phonetic name, it is an entire visual get-up that speaks to the subconscious before a single word is actually processed. Typography i.e., the deliberate, often extensive arrangement, is the silent engine of this recognition. Whether it is specific letter spacing or a stylized stroke, these choices are the markers of a brand's DNA. In India, protecting these intellectual property assets requires navigating

Introduction Agreed on January 27, 2026 and being hailed as the “mother of all trade deals”, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (“FTA” or “The Agreement”) is set to thrust India into a new trading era. Welcomed as a turning point in global trade, this deal aims to connect two of the most massive economic markets in the world. It is also likely to significantly impact intellectual property rights and laws in the regions. Without disrupting India’s existing legal framework, it i