The Mc Donald’s Case | Even major brands must prove trade mark use
McDonald’s loses its EU trade mark ‘Big Mac’ for chicken products – an important reminder for owners of (famous) brands McDonald’s has lost its EU trade mark ‘Big Mac’ for chicken sandwiches and poultry products in classes 29 and 30 and related restaurant services in class 42 after five years of non-use, following a judgment […]
Large-Scale Online Copyright Infringement | New Judicial Procedure
On 6 May 2024, the Royal Decree of 18 April 2024 concerning the establishment of the service for the fight against copyright and related rights infringements on the Internet and the illegal operation of online gambling games was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. This Royal Decree provides for the entry into force of a […]
Prop trading | Just playing with data or actual investment services?
Over the past decade, online trading has become increasingly accessible for regular consumers. The European market is now full of platforms offering a wide array of products and investment options. While these platforms initially positioned themselves as gateways between clients (consumers) and the traditional financial markets, new technologies have paved the road for different (innovative) […]
Compton Cases | Geographical Names as Fashion Trademarks
In two judgements of 28 February 2024 in related cases T-746/22 and T-747/22, the General Court of the EU (GCEU) upheld the validity of two EU trademark registrations containing the geographical name ‘Compton’, which it considers distinctive and not descriptive for fashion items like clothing and bags. These judgments provide a good opportunity to refresh […]
INSURANCE LAW | New Rules on Time Limits and Penalties
On 14 March 2024, the Belgian Federal Parliament adopted a draft law setting up new rules on time limits and penalties for the payment of insurance covers and benefits (the “Law”). The Law will enter into force on the first day of the 6th month following its publication in the Official Gazette – which should […]
RGPD et Amendes Administratives | Importantes précisions apportées par la CJEU
Le 5 décembre 2023, la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne a rendu deux arrêts importants1 précisant les conditions pour imposer une amende administrative à un responsable de traitement en raison d’une violation du Règlement général sur la protection des données (règlement 2016/679 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 27 avril 2016 relatif à […]
Video Games Series | The Use of Personal Data in the Industry
The video game industry’s increasing reliance on personal data presents a complex legal landscape that game developers must carefully navigate. As the gaming landscape evolves, the role of personal data becomes more pronounced. This article delves into two key aspects: the utilisation of personal data in game analytics and the recurrent theme of data breaches […]
RGPD et Droit à la Réparation | Importantes précisions apportées par la CJUE
En décembre 2023 et janvier 2024, la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne a rendu plusieurs arrêts1 qui apportent d’importantes précisions en ce qui concerne le droit à réparation pour le dommage moral subi en raison d’une violation du RGPD, droit consacré à l’article 82 du Règlement général sur la protection des données (règlement 2016/679 […]
Video Games Series | Legal Implications Surrounding AI Use
In this second episode, we will focus on two significant uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games: driving non-player characters (NPCs) and adapting game worlds. We will examine the legal issues associated with these uses, including copyright infringement, ownership of AI-generated content, image rights, and patentability of AI inventions. We will also briefly touch […]
CJEU allows strict liability when enforcing provisional measures for IP infringement
In a judgment of 11 January 2024 in Mylan v Gilead (C-473/22), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has accepted that a party enforcing a provisional measure can be held liable to compensate the defendant for any damages and costs caused by the enforcement, when the intellectual property right on the basis […]
Video Games Series | Skin Betting
The practice of gambling is an age-old phenomenon, with there being no shortage of various rules and stakes that are thrown into the balance. One of the latest examples is using items in video games known as ‘skins’ to bet on the outcome of gaming competitions. Despite originating from within the video games sphere, the […]
Mise à jour de la Taxe Caïman!
Dans son récent article1 publié dans la revue Actualités Fiscales, Jacques Malherbe explore la version 2.1 de la Taxe Caïman, à la suite d’une mise à jour législative significative entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2024. Lisez l’article ici 1. Extrait de Actualités fiscales (Wolters Kluwer), 2023, n° 41, p. 4 Pour toute question, veuillez […]