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The Hajdu Halloumi decision – collective marks as badges of origin
04 Dec 2020
As the UK prepares to depart from the EU, it will introduce shortly a national regime for the protection of geographical indicators. Against this background, it is interesting to read how the scope of registered collective marks was interpreted widely by the High Court so as to defeat a UK trade mark application that had incorporated the entirety of an earlier collective mark as only one of its elements. The decision demonstrates how, despite being subject to the general rules pertaining to trade marks, collective marks can be useful and powerful assets. It also serves as a reminder of the approach to be adopted when assessing the extent to be which collective marks might share visual, aural and/or conceptual similarity with other marks.
WBD transatlantic team hosts US offshore wind opportunities webinar
03 Dec 2020
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) hosted an event yesterday (2 December) to explore US offshore wind opportunities for North East businesses operating in the energy supply chain. The event was hosted virtually and attracted a wide range of clients and contacts from across the region and further afield.
Will collapsed high street retailers survive online?
03 Dec 2020
On the back of the news that Debenhams has gone into administration, Philip Knight, lends his thoughts to the reduced footfall on the high street and the increasing surge of online shopping spend
FAQs - extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
03 Dec 2020
On 31 October the Prime Minister announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the Scheme) will be extended until December and the Chancellor announced on 5 November that it will be extended until 31 March 2021. This FAQ deals with the changes to the Scheme that apply from 1 November.
Upcoming changes to CfD Scheme for AR4 onwards
02 Dec 2020
On 24 November 2020, BEIS published the consultation decision on the proposed amendments to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. The fourth allocation round (AR4) of Contracts for Difference will open late next year, and BEIS has announced an expansion of the CfD scheme to a capacity of 12GW, more than doubling the 5.8GW offered at AR3 in 2019.
WBD announces seven new partners and four legal directors in raft of 31 promotions UK-wide
01 Dec 2020
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has confirmed a number of senior promotions across its UK offices, including seven new partners and four legal directors. The good news is part of a wider round of promotions including 20 lawyers promoted to the role of associate.
WBD action case study: helping families through difficult times
26 Nov 2020
After two years of fundraising, in 2019 our Bristol Office reached its ambition of raising £80,000 for St Peter's Hospice. Bristol's only adult hospice caring for 2,000 patients every year. Our support for St Peter's Hospice was inspired by the memory of one of our Bristol based partners, Robert Pope, who passed away in April 2016 and was cared for by the hospice at the end of his life.
WBD action case study: firmwide support for foodbanks
26 Nov 2020
In August 2017, I read an online article about the West End Foodbank in Newcastle. The article highlighted the fact that this foodbank, close to our office, was the most utilised in England, and that the demand for food grew substantially during school holidays. I was aware that there were foodbanks throughout the UK but had no real idea of how they operated, who used them, how we could donate, and how donations are utilised. The article stated that without school meals or breakfast clubs, many children would not receive a hot meal during school holidays, and parents were struggling to feed their families.
WBD's energy sector team advises on community-led wind turbine project
26 Nov 2020
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Ambition Community Energy (ACE), a community interest company set up by local resident-driven charity Ambition Lawrence Weston, on its successful planning application for a 150m-tall wind turbine in Avonmouth, near Bristol.
