WHAT WE MONITOR
DESIGNS
Overview
An industrial design right is an intellectual property right that protects the visual design of objects. It encompasses the creation of a shape, configuration, or composition of pattern or colour, or a combination of pattern and colour in three-dimensional form that possesses aesthetic value. Our service offers searches and checks for similar design patterns within our database.
FAQ's
This service will be particularly beneficial for design owners and entities planning to register industrial and other designs.
Each design is taxonomized based on Locarno's classification for better registration industrial designs. Our service verifies each new design and its classification and then compares the specific features and characteristics of the design with the customer's design. Automatic verification is performed using Vision ML and looks for elements of similarity between designs. This makes it possible to identify copycats or imitations.
Yes, absolutely. Thanks to this service, you can avoid potential objections in the design registration process. It will help you steer clear of using design features belonging to other industrial design owners.
Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence (AI) that equips systems with the ability to learn automatically and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning focuses on developing computer programmes that can access data and utilise it to learn independently.
After receiving the reference number, please register on the web portal. Upon successful registration, the service will be activated for you. The first information outputs will be displayed after a few hours.
News
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Trademark Romance Turns Bitter: EUIPO Sides with Habanos in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Dispute
In a win for Cuban cigar giant Corporación Habanos, S.A., the EUIPO has upheld its opposition against German vegan beauty brand Giulia & Romeo, barring its trademark application for toiletries and cosmetics across Class 3. At the heart of the ruling lies a compelling conceptual overlap: the contested 'Giulia & Romeo' brand was deemed too close for comfort to Habanos’ figurative 'Romeo y Julieta' mark—iconic for its Shakespearean balcony scene and deeply associated with premium cigars and lifestyle goods. The EUIPO found the goods to be either identical or highly similar, and while visual differences exist, the conceptual and aural similarities—especially for Italian-speaking consumers—were strong enough to create a likelihood of confusion. Following tag cloud shows trademarks filed worldwide containing the keyword ‘Romeo’ or ‘Juliet’ in their title, along with associated trademark classes and filing offices.
14/07/2025
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UKIPO Rejects ETAM’s Opposition Over '123' Trademark Amid Brand Identity Clash
In a decision from the UK Intellectual Property Office, fashion retailer ETAM’s attempt to block US-based RivingtonRoirebis LLC from registering the trademark '123' for clothing in Class 25 has failed. ETAM, relying on its earlier marks 'Maison 123' with stylised elements, argued a likelihood of confusion based on visual, aural, and conceptual similarities. However, the tribunal found the overlap limited to the numeral '123', noting that the addition of 'maison' — though potentially understood by a niche UK audience familiar with fashion or French — did not significantly increase the risk of confusion. The decision emphasised that the average UK consumer would perceive the marks as distinct and was unlikely to misassociate the brands, either directly or indirectly. Following chart shows the number of trademarks related to clothing in the UK between 2020 and 2025 filed by UK-based companies.
11/07/2025
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Aldi Prevails in Domain Dispute Over ‘Aldi-Near-Me.com’
In a ruling issued by WIPO on 26 June 2025, discount retail giant Aldi successfully secured the transfer of the domain name aldi-near-me.com from an American registrant, reinforcing its global trademark protections. The arbitration panel found that the domain, despite its passive use, was registered to reproducing the ALDI trademark in its entirety while misleading consumers into believing it was affiliated with Aldi’s official store locator or services. The panel highlighted Aldi’s significant international retail footprint, extensive trademark portfolio—including EU and UK registrations—and the brand’s distinctiveness as key factors in the decision. With more than 2,500 stores in the US and rising brand recognition, Aldi’s assertive approach underscores the growing strategic importance of domain name enforcement in brand protection.
09/07/2025