Well, here it is, I’m speaking at a real live actual conference at the #ERA in Trier, Germany. So looking forward to interacting with real people rather than their Zoom versions. linkedin.com/posts/academy-…

“You’re on mute”- 2020 proverb.

Optimism slightly misplaced. It is now a virtual conference. Still plenty to look forward to: fundamental rights/IP, collective marks/GIs, recent case law on #trademarks and #designs. Speaking on bad faith and chairing a session on non-traditionals.

Stimulating first day at Academy of European Law online conference. A-lister Alexander von Mühlendahl taking us through non-traditional #trademarks, problems of description, specificity, distinctiveness of course. Often wonder why device/word marks privileged to avoid many of these obstacles.

“The starting point, in my judgment, is freedom of speech.” A punchy start to Lewison LJ’s analysis, dismissing claim to #confidentiality in horse-racing course data, unprotected by contract & broadcast on TV moments later: TRP v SIS [2020] EWCA Civ 1300 dlvr.it/RjGSsf

Also nice to spot Arnold LJ's agreement with our analysis in "Gurry on Breach of Confidence" (2nd ed) lnkd.in/eEq8siD "As the authors' analysis makes clear... the basic attribute which information must possess [is] inaccessibility" Well done @AplinTanya on Ch 5

Next Tuesday 20th Oct, Tanya Aplin on the Limits of Trade Secret Protection: technisnet.org/seminars/

Delighted to put my name next to some incredible lawyers, ex-judges and legal academics asking the government kindly to stop using us all as a political football. theguardian.com/politics/2020/…

Link to the #CJEU judgment here curia.europa.eu/juris/document…

Comparative advertising or camaraderie? #trademark #advertising

Compelling blow by blow account of the #CJEU hearing in Case C-401/19, action by Poland to annul the filtering obligation contained in Article 17 of the Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM) Directive.

Little piece by me for IPWatchdog with comments from Bird & Bird IP Akash Sachdeva & Prof Johanna Gibson

Looking forward to a bit of swotting over Easter and beyond #thebarofireland

General Court summarily allows Sony’s appeal against the EUIPO on grounds that it is manifestly well-founded. curia.europa.eu/juris/document…… Yes you read that right. Art 132 RPGC is the Court's a rarely used power to get EUIPO Board of Appeal to follow the Court's previous judgments

Admitted to the degree of Irish barrister Óstaí an Rí | King’s Inns last night. Honoured to share the occasion (online) with lots of young Irish barristers and a few other “EU Directivers” Beth Collett James Abrahams KC Tom

Delighted, honoured and, yes, strangely relieved to be called to the The Bar of Ireland earlier today. Sincere thanks for making us UK transfer applicants feel so welcome. Good luck to everyone. Óstaí an Rí | King’s Inns

Just received word this morning that leave to appeal has been granted by the Supreme Court in Skykick. #trademarks #badfaith #skykick #TrademarkRegistration

Barristers need to build shared brands, says leading TM KC managingip.com/article/2aor6x…

Many congratulations on the award of KC, Lionel Bently K.C.(Hon.) ! To avoid personal bias, I shall quote the MOJ on his appointment. "Universally respected" his publications "rank among the most influential in IP" and were "crucial .. in influencing IP law in this jurisdiction and beyond"