ISRAEL IP

“American Apparel” was not allowed for registration as being a generic/descriptive mark.
Applicant filed a survey it made which proved that 91% of the women answering the survey did not recognize the word “apparel”. Nevertheless, the mark was rendered descriptive for clothing.

Ein Gedi is one of Israel’s most famous resorts. It is the largest, and most impressive, resort at the dead sea.
Ein Gedi is also the source of various dead sea products.
A few trademark applications for cosmetic products called “Ein Gedi” was filed to the trademark office. The products’ source is not Ein Gedi.
The Israeli vice [...]

In a recent decision, the Vice Israeli Trademark Commissioner ruled that the mark “Berliner” will not be allowed for registration, as it may confuse customers to believe that the source of the merchendize is Berlin.

Trademarks are registered in Israel subject to disclaimers all the time. Disclaimers make sure a mark is not extended to become over broad.
A standard disclaimer allows  using the mark as a whole, but not exclusively using each of the words in a mark or the words only in a designed mark.
Now, for the first time, [...]

Trademark adjudicator Ya’ara Shoshani Caspi ruled that previous actions can be brought as evidence, but only when they have evidential value in proving facts which are in dispute.

The adjudicator further ruled that such evidence are difficult to allow and that in any case, the commissioner will weigh the evidential value on one hand and [...]

On February 2006, D-Card Ltd. filed a trademark application on the mark “A diamond in your pocket” in relation to a card with small gems. The product enables the customer to buy a very small diamond and wonder around, carrying a diamond in his pocket.
The trademark examiner refused to allow the mark, arguing that the [...]

In an interesting trademark ruling, the Israeli PTO made it clear that evidence in reply should be strictly in reply to the other party’s evidence.
It was clearly noted that each party must file all his evidence in the first “round” and not wait for the other party to file his evidence and use the “evidence [...]

Another extremely important decision in the same case related to the manner in which evidence should be filed to the commissioner in terms of proper languages.
It was ruled that any evidence filed to the commissioner should be filed in Hebrew or Arabic, the official language.
Affidavits will be accepted, if there is a good reason to [...]

In a very important ruling, the Israeli PTO determined that a professional opinion will be accepted by the Israeli trademark commissioner in opposition proceedings (and other proceedings).
It has been argued that according to the Israeli trademark regulations, evidence will be filed to the commissioner in the form of affidavits.
The decision by the Israeli PTO now [...]

A confusion which is very likely to happen when dealing with Israeli trademarks relates to their renewal date. This short post is for the purpose of setting this confusion straight.
Israeli trademarks used to be registered for 7 years, and could have been renewed for subsequent periods of 14 years. Due to legislation that entered into [...]