Case law: Trade mark owners can apply for order requiring ISPs to block access to websites that infringe their rights
Trade mark owners will welcome new powers to obtain court orders requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to websites infringing their trade marks by selling fake goods, following a landmark High Court ruling.
Legal Alert
This update was published in Legal Alert - December 2014
Legal Alert is a monthly checklist from Atom Content Marketing highlighting new and pending laws, regulations, codes of practice and rulings that could have an impact on your business.
The Court granted the orders, but subject to the following safeguards:
- ISP subscribers affected could apply to the Court to discharge or vary the orders.
- Anyone who tried to access a blocked website should see a message stating who had obtained the order, informing them they had a right to apply to discharge or vary the order.
- The order should be time-limited (a two-year period was suggested).
While such orders are often made where there has been copyright infringement, this is a new remedy for trade mark infringement.
Operative date
- Now
Recommendation
- Trade mark owners should consider whether they can obtain court orders requiring ISPs to block access to websites which are infringing their trade mark rights, and whether the potential costs are warranted by the damage the infringement is causing the business.
Disclaimer: This article from Atom Content Marketing is for general guidance only, for businesses in the United Kingdom governed by the laws of England. Atom Content Marketing, expert contributors and ICAEW (as distributor) disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions.
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