1. India Stands Its Ground on Pharma IP
📅 Date: June 10, 2025
📰 Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal made headlines this week by calling out the “myth” that Indian pharmaceutical companies copy foreign, particularly Swiss, drug technologies. He pointed to India’s strong IP regime—highlighting Section 3(d) of the Patents Act, which blocks frivolous patents for minor tweaks in drug formulations (also known as “evergreening”) unless they show real therapeutic value.
Why it Matters: This is India signaling that it respects genuine innovation. It is a timely defense as India continues to face global pressure in trade talks.
2. Mattel Teams Up with OpenAI to Make AI Toys Smarter
📅 Date: June 12, 2025
📰 Source: TechCrunch
Toy giant Mattel is partnering with OpenAI to bring generative AI into the world of play. From AI-generated game narratives to digital content design for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, Mattel is reimagining what it means to “play smart.”
Designers will soon be using ChatGPT tools in their creative workflows, and the company plans to develop entirely new AI-powered product lines—while keeping brand control and child safety top of mind.
Why it matters: It’s a bold example of how legacy companies can harness IP and innovation to stay relevant. Rather than licensing out, Mattel is using AI on its own terms.
3. Trademarks of the Famous (and the Furry)
📅 Ongoing but trending
📰 Source: Boston Globe
Did you know Taylor Swift has over 200 trademarks? That includes her song and album titles, signature phrases (like “Taymoji”), and yes—even her cats’ names (Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin).
And it’s not just pop stars: the Boston Red Sox have federally protected trademarks for terms like “Green Monster” and “Red Sox Nation.”
IP Nugget of the Week: Trademarks aren’t just for logos. Anything that identifies your brand—words, phrases, colors, even sounds—can be protected. For founders, it’s a reminder that building a brand means building an asset.
4. Delhi High Court Eases Trademark Concerns for Refurbishers
📅 Date: June 2, 2025
📰 Source: SpicyIP
In a win for India’s circular economy, the Delhi High Court ruled that importing genuine but used or refurbished products—like Western Digital hard drives—is not trademark infringement, so long as sellers clearly label them as refurbished and don’t mislead consumers.
Why it matters: This ruling protects businesses involved in tech refurbishment and resale. It also clarifies how trademarks work in the real world: they prevent consumer confusion, not competition through honest reuse.
