News

• WIPO Orders Transfer of Domain in IPSOS Dispute

  
  
  
  The World Intellectual Property Organization has ruled in favour of French market research group IPSOS, ordering the transfer of the domain name ipsos-bva.com. The panel found that the domain, registered just one day after IPSOS publicly disclosed exclusive negotiations to acquire rival BVA, was confusingly similar to both firms’ marks and risked internet users into believing an affiliation. As a result, IPSOS secured full control of the contested web address, strengthening its digital presence following the June 2025 completion of its BVA acquisition. Following chart shows the number of French trademarks related to market research filed with INPI each month of 2025.
  
  

  
  

  02/09/2025

• An update to our design & design patterns report is now available

    To access it, please log in to your account and go to the "Design" section. If you're not registered yet, simply sign up with your reference number.
  
  
  

  29/08/2025

• Hertz Blocks Rival’s 'Firefly' Trademark in Europe

  
  
  
  The EUIPO has sided with Hertz System Inc. in its opposition to Portuguese company Thowra’s attempt to register a figurative mark incorporating the word Firefly for vehicle rental services. The Office found the contested application created a high likelihood of confusion with Hertz’s earlier FIREFLY word mark, already protected across the EU, given the identical nature of the services and the strong visual and aural overlap. While Thowra’s version included stylised elements, examiners stressed that consumers typically identify brands by their verbal components, meaning the resemblance was sufficient to suggest an economic link between the two. The decision results in the rejection of the application for all contested services. Following chart shows the share of vehicle rental service trademarks filed in the EUIPO by country of origin, placing this dispute within the wider context of international brand competition in the mobility sector.
  
  

  
  

  26/08/2025