Cofemel v. G-Star: The new standard of the European Court of Justice – Can a pair of jeans be considered a “work of art”?

Download Conventional legal thinking often assumes that "functional products"—such as a pair of jeans, a pair of sandals, a fashionable handbag, or a bottle of perfume—are primarily protected under Industrial Design. Rights holders rarely consider Copyright, based on the notion that the form of mass-produced products is unlikely to meet the standards of a "work of art" or "work of applied art" to qualify for protection. The Kenfox IP & Law Office will analyze the Cofemel v. G-Star case to clarify how the Court of Justice of the European Union ( CJEU ) has established a new standard in viewing application design...

Continue reading

Bad-Faith Trademark Filings in Vietnam: What’s new in the IP Law 2025?

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Vietnam’s first-to-file trademark system has increasingly been exploited by professional trademark squatters. In practice, certain individuals and companies have filed dozens, or even hundreds, of trademarks that appear to copy or imitate marks already used by foreign brand owners, overseas manufacturers, franchise chains, online sellers, or businesses preparing to enter Vietnam. These filings are often not made for genuine commercial use. Rather, they are made to wait for a payoff. Once registered, that mark may be used not only as a passive obstacle to registration, but also as an active commercial weapon: to demand payment, block distribution, pressure local partners,...

Continue reading

NGB CORPORATION VISITS KENFOX TO EXPLORE STRATEGIC COOPERATION IN PATENT PROTECTION AND IP ENFORCEMENT

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] On June 8, 2026, KENFOX IP & Law Office had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Hiroyoshi Teraoka, Representative of NGB Corporation’s Thailand Office, for an official visit and working session in Hanoi. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for both parties to exchange insights on patent prosecution, intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement, and potential avenues for strategic collaboration to support Japanese businesses seeking effective IP protection in Vietnam. NGB Corporation – Nearly Seven Decades of Excellence in Intellectual Property Services During the meeting, Mr. Hiroyoshi Teraoka introduced NGB Corporation, one of Japan’s leading intellectual property service providers. Established in 1959,...

Continue reading

STRENGTHENING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION IN VIETNAM: Visit and Working Session of HongYuan Intellectual Property Law Firm at the KENFOX Office

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] On May 22, 2026, KENFOX IP & Law Office was honored to welcome representatives of HongYuan Intellectual Property Law Firm for a visit and working session at the KENFOX office in Hanoi. The meeting focused on key issues relating to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Vietnam, including legal reforms, the effectiveness of handling infringement acts, investigative infrastructure, and enforcement coordination mechanisms among competent authorities. Key Discussion Topics During the meeting, KENFOX experts provided in-depth analysis and practical insights into the intellectual property landscape in Vietnam, including: Legal Framework & Enforcement: Updates on the latest amendments to intellectual...

Continue reading

KENFOX is honored to act as the intellectual property (IP) representative for Fischer-a renowned German brand of steel adhesives and chemical anchors-in handling IP infringements and counterfeit goods in Vietnam

How to Identify Genuine Fischer Injection Mortars Fischer representatives recommend that users carefully check the packaging, cartridge structure, and mixing mechanism to distinguish genuine chemical anchor adhesives from counterfeit products appearing on the market. Fischer is a trademark owned by fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG, a company headquartered in Germany and operating in the field of anchoring solutions, installation systems, and engineering materials used in construction and industry. According to the brand representative, chemical anchor adhesives are products that require strict technical standards because they directly affect the bonding capability and load-bearing capacity of anchoring systems in construction works. Therefore, the use of...

Continue reading

Overcoming the Territoriality Trap: How FUMARI Blocked a Bad-Faith Trademark Filing in Laos Without Local Registration

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download The Department of Intellectual Property of Laos (“Laos DIP”) recently issued a Notice sustaining an opposition against Trademark Application No. 50354 for “FUMARI” in Class 34, filed by Xuanfeng Biotechnology Sole Co., Ltd. In this matter, KENFOX IP & Law Office represented Fumari Inc. to challenge the adverse party's mark, steering the case to a successful outcome. In its Notice, the Laos DIP confirmed that, following consideration of the opposition based on the relevant reasons and evidence submitted, the opposition was sustained. As a result, the opposed application will not proceed to the substantive examination stage. This is a significant outcome...

Continue reading

KENFOX Attends the INTA Annual Meeting 2026 in London: Expanding Perspectives, Strengthening Global Connections, and Enhancing Professional Capacity

From 2 to 6 May 2026, a three-member delegation from KENFOX IP & Law Office attended the INTA Annual Meeting 2026 in London - one of the world’s largest and most influential events in the field of intellectual property (IP), bringing together thousands of lawyers, professionals, corporations, and IP organizations from numerous jurisdictions....

Continue reading

China: CNIPA Proactively Refused and Invalidated Ambiguous-Concept Trademarks Such as “Zero Sucrose” and “Farm-Raised”

Download Many enterprises do not design trademarks to distinguish their goods from those of others - the core function of a trademark. Instead, they exploit the system to "privatize" common industry terminology. They treat the trademark registration certificate as a "legal free pass" to monopolize advertising messages (such as "Zero Sugar" or "Farm-Raised"). Armed with these registered marks, they can then turn around and restrict competitors from using descriptive terms that everyone should inherently have the right to use. Cloaking vague and exaggerated descriptive terms under the guise of an "exclusively registered trademark" creates a false veneer of credibility. Consumers are easily...

Continue reading

KENFOX Promotes Cooperation with CIPSA and Chinese IP Partners

[vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column_text] On March 26, 2026, KENFOX IP & Law Office welcomed a delegation from the Capital Intellectual Property Services Association (CIPSA) and various organizations and enterprises operating in the intellectual property (IP) sector in China. The visit provided an opportunity for the parties to directly exchange views on the investment environment, IP rights protection practices, and prospects for legal cooperation between Vietnam and China. During the working session, the Chinese delegates noted that Vietnam is currently one of the key markets in Southeast Asia, attracting a growing number of foreign businesses, including Chinese investors. However, alongside the investment opportunities come significant legal...

Continue reading

KENFOX – China NTD Strategic Cooperation: Formulating Strategies to Combat Digital Trademark Infringement in Vietnam

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Against the backdrop of a significant surge in investment and commercial activities by Chinese enterprises in Vietnam, the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) rights in cyberspace has emerged as a top priority. Today, March 18, 2026, a high-level strategic meeting was convened between KENFOX IP & Law Office and the prestigious law firm China NTD. This event marks a pivotal milestone in their strategic partnership aimed at safeguarding international brands within the Vietnamese market. A Strategic Alliance of Leading Legal Experts The meeting featured a panel of seasoned IP legal practitioners. Representing China NTD were Mr. Liu Da and Mr. Christopher...

Continue reading