Happy Holidays everyone

As 2014 comes to a close, we'd like to take a moment to reflect and count our blessings. It has been a tumultuous year due to many shocking events that took place all over the world. However, the human spirit is resilient and we have managed to survive these losses and look forward to a new year.

LJ Vernus would just like to thank our family, friends and colleagues for all the support they've shown this year. Granted, we might have only met for a brief while at a conference or we have only communicated via the phone and email, but each and every one of you are important in helping us pave our way to success.

We hope that 2014 have been a good year for you and we look forward to creating more meaningful relationships with not only family and friends, but also to our business partners.

With that, we'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The CSR Edition

What goes around, comes around.

In view of the upcoming festive season, LJ Vernus has taken some time off to slow down and do our part for charity. But this time, we have also engaged the participation of 2 other local companies to join us.

Together with Silver Negative Studios and Global Project Services, we have managed to purchase and deliver 24 cartons of basic commodities which included Milo, condensed milk and assorted jams for the residents of an old folks home. 

On the 9th December 2014, various members from each company headed down to the home with the commodities in tow. We also had the pleasure of touring the premises and meeting some of the residents there.

A banded effort

This year, LJ Vernus had decided to take CSR to another level. As a SME, we realize that we want to make a bigger impact on society, but due to the lack of resources, it is difficult for us to organize an elaborate CSR plan. This is where the Inter Business CSR Initiative comes into the picture. 

We aim to get more SMEs on board so that we can plan and execute bigger CSR initiatives such as fundraising days, donation drives, excursion trips and many more. Also, considering that most SMEs do not have a dedicated CSR department, we also aim to provide the infrastructure to save time and energy.

A stepping stone

We've decided on a simple donation drive as our first step. At the moment, there are 3 companies on board, being, LJ Vernus, Silver Negative Studios and Global Projects Services. As the new year approaches, we hope to add more companies via word of mouth and future marketing plans.

Here are some pictures from our December 9 charity drive!

PRESS RELEASE: Local SMEs team up for joint CSR initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9 December 2014

Contact: Azimah Jailani, Marcom Executive

Phone: +65 6746 2858

Email: azimah@ljvernus.com

LOCAL SMES TEAM UP FOR JOINT CSR INITIATIVE

9 December 2014, SINGAPORE – LJ Vernus has teamed up with 2 local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Silver Negative Studios Pte Ltd and Global Projects Services Pte Ltd in their inaugural joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Initiated by LJ Vernus, the main aim of the movement is to not only contribute back to the society, but to also form a business network amongst SMEs in Singapore. The banding of multiple companies also provides more opportunities to carry out extensive charitable activities.

Earlier today, members from each company had made a trip to Ju Eng Home for the Senior Citizens to deliver some basic commodities. LJ Vernus hopes this this will be a good stepping stone to encourage more SMEs in Singapore to join in future charity initiatives.

Director of LJ Vernus, Mr Edward Jui, mentioned that, “I believe that many SMEs are already giving back to the society, but they want to make a bigger impact. By centralizing this, we save time spent on planning but still manage to execute bigger charity activities.”

LJ Vernus is an Intellectual Property firm specializing on trademark, providing expertise on trademark registration and prosecution services as well as integrated IPR solutions to businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, Asia and around the world. For further information, please contact Azimah Jailani at +65 6746 2858.

###

Intellectual Property Rights 101

Most people get confused over all the different categories of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and give up trying to understand it, much less try to apply for it. Then there are also those who lump IPR as one whole category and figured that it would be too costly and time consuming to protect this Intellectual Property thing.

But don't worry, we are here to save the day.

After much information consolidation, here's a simple infograph that explains the different types of IPR.

Not wise to trademark like these big guys

Trademarking your brand, be it logo, colors, or even scent is important, as your brand distinguishes your products from other traders. But how do we know that it is not taken too far? In this case, Tesco Stores Limited attempted a very simple mark, an example of when it might be taking trademarking a bit too far.

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1318214/tesco-drops-hopeless-application-trademark-blue-dashes-its-logo

So basically, they've registration for their brand name (EU000388223):

They've also trademarked their logo (EU003016458):

In 2013, they filed an application for the blue dashes (UK00003000786) which was rejected by the UK examiner:

As eloquently explained by our head honcho director, Edward;

This is yet another attempt by big corporations with deep pockets to try their luck on obtaining registration for signs which are generic and have very wide scope of rights.  It is trite law that a sign has to be distinctive in order to be registrable.  I liken the application for the ”blue dashes” to filing an application for a hashtag symbol or an underline, a generic sign which is a common expression of everyday usage and therefore inherently incapable of distinguishing the goods of one trader from another.  It is not difficult to see why the UK examiners are very reluctant to allow any single trader to monopolise use of such signs in commerce.

To sum up, don't try to trademark something that is too general, like dashes or exclamation marks.

SMExpo 2014 Roundup!

The LJ Vernus team held our first booth exhibition during the SMExpo 2014 last week. A regular face to the expo every year, the team has decided to take it a step further this time in order to reach out and educate more companies regarding the importance of trademarking and brand protection.

The expo proved to be a successful venture and we got to meet up with many old and new partners. As we’ve gotten good feedbacks from the team and the turnout, LJ Vernus is looking at attending more of such conventions and we’ll be back again next year!

Check out some of our on-site photos below!

Do drop us a note to say hi if we met you at the SMExpo! Hope to see you at our next neworking event!

For more interesting news and updates on the current trademark industry, don't forget to follow us on our blog!

Press release: LJ VERNUS WILL BE ATTENDING THE ASIAN DOMAIN SUMMIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7 August 2014                                                                                                                     

Contact: Azimah Jailani, Marcom Executive

Phone: +65 6746 2858

Email: azimah@ljvernus.com

LJ VERNUS WILL BE ATTENDING THE ASIAN DOMAIN SUMMIT

7 August 2014, SINGAPORE- LJ Vernus will be attending the Singapore version of the Asian Domain Summit on the 14^th August 2014.

Held at the Raffles Hotel, the Singapore leg of this event is a full day conference that primarily revolves around the domain registry industry. With 4 different summits taking places in Singapore, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Taiwan respectively, the organizers, WebNIC and RegAsia, aims to educate businesses, trademark and brand owners about managing one's brand on the Internet.

With more companies going digital, business owners must understand that the protection of intellectual property rights of a brand has to encompass both online and offline venues.

Director of LJ Vernus, Edward Jui, remarked that, “While most organizations realize the importance of trademarking their brand, many business owners do not have a holistic protection strategy set in place. In many cases, they fail to monitor their online assets which may result in the dilution of their trademark rights.”

For more information on LJ Vernus’s participation in this event, do visit http://bit.ly/1m4DvlU

LJ Vernus is an Intellectual Property firm specializing on trademark, providing expertise on trademark registration and prosecution services as well as integrated IPR solutions to businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, Asia and around the world. For further information, please contact Azimah Jailani at +65 6746 2858.

###

Of oil and the colour green

BP loses battle to trademark the colour green in Australia

So what's exactly going on? Here's our take on the current situation.

A colour, by itself or in combination with other colour(s), may qualify as a trademark. However, registering colours per se as a trademark is more an exception rather than the rule. 

In many cases, achieving registration for a colour mark would require the applicant to show that the colour(s) in question has acquired distinctiveness through extensive use in relation to the claimed goods/services. For example, Singapore Reg. No. T9906795F for the famous three horizontal stripes colour mark in respect of retail services filed by 7-Eleven, INC in 1999 was granted registration after the registrar was satisfied that the lodged evidence of use showed that consumers in Singapore have come to identify the colour combination as identifying that the services originate from the 7-Eleven, INC and no other.

The difficulty in registering colours as trademark is one of public policy; the balance of granting monopoly over the use of a particular colour to a single trader without unduly restricting availability of colours for other traders who offer similar products or services.

In BP’s attempt to registering the colour mark, the authority was not persuaded that the lodged evidence was sufficient to show that it has acquired distinctiveness through substantial use.


Edward Jui

Happy National Day Singapore!

Home is where the heart is!

To all Singaporeans, and not forgetting those who are abroad, have a wonderful National Day. We hope you're looking forward to the parade and fireworks tomorrow!

Asian Domain Summit 2014

LJ Vernus will be attending the upcoming Asian Domain Summit (Singapore) on the 14th August this year. With 4 conferences taking place in Singapore, Xiaman, Hong Kong and Taiwan, LJ Vernus is proud to be part of this summit to learn more about the burgeoning domain registry industry and explore business opportunities of brand protection.

If you are participating in this event, we would love to have a chat with you. Contact us now to schedule a meeting.

Click image to register.

Press Release: IP WEEK@SG 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 July 2014

Contact: Azimah Jailani, Marcom Executive

Phone: +65 6746 2858

Email: azimah@ljvernus.com

LJ VERNUS IS ATTENDING IP WEEK@SG

16 July 2014, SINGAPORE – LJ Vernus will be attending the IP Week@SG, an annual event where Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) industry members from all over the world come to share and discuss the latest developments in the IPR industry.

Hosted by Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) for its third year running, the event will be taking place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre from the 25^th to 27^th August 2014. This year’s event promises a myriad of in-depth conferences, open workshops and exhibitions that tackles all topics related to the IPR industry.

Mr Edward Jui, director of LJ Vernus, commented that “Our government is committed to establishing Singapore as the Intellectual Property Hub of Asia.  With the in-depth conferences and networking opportunities lined up in the upcoming IP Week@SG, it provides an excellent platform for Attorneys, in-house counsels and trademark owners to keep abreast of latest developments and best practices in the IPR industry and also forge new professional partnerships.”

For more information on the LJ Vernus’s participation in this event, do visit http://bit.ly/1m9DcoZ

LJ Vernus is an Intellectual Property firm specializing on trademark, providing expertise on trademark registration and prosecution services as well as integrated IPR solutions to businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, Asia and around the world. For further information, please contact Azimah Jailani at +65 6746 2858.

###

Press Release: LJ VERNUS WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE SME EXPO 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 June 2014

Contact: Azimah Jailani, Marcom Executive
Phone: +65 6746 2858
Email: azimah@ljvernus.com

LJ VERNUS WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE SME EXPO 2014

30 June 2014, SINGAPORE – LJ Vernus will be exhibiting at the upcoming SMExpo 2014 in an effort to educate and reach out to more businesses regarding their specialization on trademark services.

The SMExpo 2014, which is organized by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will be LJ Vernus’s first exhibition. Taking place at the Marina Bay Sands on both 20th and 21st August 2014, LJ Vernus will be on site to explain to business owners the importance of intellectual property rights and eliminate any misconceptions that most business owners have regarding the trademark process.

Director of LJ Vernus, Mr Edward Jui, commented that, “Most business owners, especially SMEs, do not realize the importance of trademarking their brand until it is too late. We want to let them know that it is not an expensive nor a complicated process.”

The SMExpo 2014 is organized in conjunction with the Annual SMEs Conference and Infocomm Commerce Conference. Other than private business owners, 12 different governmental bodies will also be there to showcase the different schemes and grants opened to SMEs owners.

LJ Vernus is an Intellectual Property firm specializing on trademark, providing expertise on trademark registration and prosecution services as well as integrated IPR solutions to businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, Asia and around the world. For further information, please contact Azimah Jailani at +65 6746 2858.

###

IP Week @ SG

LJ Vernus will be attending the annual IP Week @ SG which is being organized by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Already in its third year running, this year's event promises a vibrant networking platform consisting of in-depth conferences, open workshops and exhibition with the industry leaders, top names in IP and C-level executives from across the world.

LJ Vernus looks forward to catching up with our current partners and making more meaningful connections with potential partners at this upcoming event.

Click on the image for more information on IP Week @ SG.

Feel free to reach us at info@ljvernus.com for more information or book an appointment with us if you're participating.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

SAF Day and Rededication Ceremony

On 1 July 2014, LJ Vernus was given the kind opportunity to pledge our support for the Singapore Armed Forces.

As a gesture of appreciation to all our regulars, NSFs, and NSmen for their dedication to our nation, it has been a LJ Vernus tradition to participate in the yearly re-dedication ceremony organized by ASME. This year's ceremony was held at ITE Central and was graced by guest of honour, Mr Ng Eng Hen, Minister of Defence.

 

Once in a while, it is refreshing to take a step back and be thankful for the safety and stability that we enjoy in Singapore. To all our servicemen and women, thank you for all your hard work and dedication that you have put in to keep this nation safe. Happy SAF Day!

LJ Vernus will be attending the SMExpo 2014

LJ Vernus will be exhibiting at the SMExpo this year. Come by our booth to learn more about the trademark process and how it affects you and your business.

The event is organized by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry and it runs in conjunction with the Annual SMEs Conference and the Infocomm Commerce Conference. Registration for the conference is free. You may click on the link below to register yourself via the online portal.

We hope to see you at our booth!

FREE REGISTRATION

LJ Vernus supports our Singapore Armed Forces

Updates on the Chinese Trademark Law

photo by VAYardley CC by

The third amendments to the Chinese Trademark Law recently came into force on 1 May 2014. The key amendments are set out below:

• Time limits are set for CTMO and TRAB to examine cases.  For example, trademark applications should be examined within 9 months and opposition cases within 12 months.  This is a vast improvement from the previous practice where trademark cases could take years to advance.

• E-Filing and Multi-Class Filings are now available in China.
  

• In line with China’s efforts to curb trademark infringement activities, more severe punishment against infringement are introduced.  For example, maximum statutory damages has been increased to RMB3,000,000.  Punitive damages are available where the infringement activity is “serious”.

• China now accepts non-conventional marks, namely, sound and colour combination marks, as registrable trademark.  Sound marks include ring-tones, animal sounds, etc.

• Limitation of rights to commence opposition action; only those who “own prior rights” or who is an “interested party” may initiate proceedings.  With this provision, the previous practice of opposing a mark based on unrelated party’s registered mark will no longer be permitted, unless the opponent can show that it is an interested person.

• Imposing burden on trademark rights holders to provide evidence of three years’ prior use when seeking damages.  The new law also explicitly provide courts to grant preliminary injunctions within 48 hours.

• Use of the words “well-known mark” on products, product packaging or containers or in advertisements, exhibitions or other commercial activities is now prohibited.  Declaration of well-known status of a mark may be sought in the event of disputes.

The new law clearly shows China commitments towards building a strong and responsive IPR regime, although many uncertainties on the implementation of the amendments exist.  Nonetheless, we are hopeful that foreign trademark owners may now be in a better footing when dealing with infringers in China, and business owners would face a more efficient registry when seeking trademark registration in China.

Specialist IPR firm LJ Vernus will be participating in the INTA Annual Meeting 2014

LJ Vernus will be participating in the International Trade Mark Association's (INTA) 136th Annual Meeting that will be held in Hong Kong in May 2014. Founding Director Edward Jui will be attending this important conference.

INTA's Annual Meeting is one of the premier trade mark and intellectual property events which boasts more than 8,500 attendees from over 140 countries. The meeting will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Hong Kong SAR, China.

We look forward to touching base with the international trademark community at this conference.