Welcome to your Sunday recap of the week’s biggest developments in trademark and brand protection.
From “supercharged” music fraud to Coke Morgan Stewart’s INTA keynote, here’s what shaped the IP landscape this week.
This Week’s Must-Read
Your best bet for enforcement: Schedule A cases or Section 337 investigations? (27 November)
In the battle against counterfeits, US trademark owners must choose between the speed of Schedule A cases and the lasting power of ITC investigations – or deploy both at once.
From the Courts
Lookalikes in China: broader design protection moves forward as courts test new routes (25 November)
A new study indicates that China’s treatment of fashion design replicas is beginning to shift.
General Motors and Stellantis are taking Schedule A cases seriously (28 November)
Docket data shows that among the Big Three automakers in the US, Ford has been less active in going after online counterfeiters, and tends to be sued more often than it sues others in district court.
Brand Protection Intelligence
AI clauses in influencer contracts are “a bigger problem” than brands think (26 November)
Brand owners are at risk of increased IP liability due to outdated contracts that don’t include specific provisions for AI use by influencers, according to a US expert.
AI has “supercharged” music fraud and piracy, says IFPI global litigation director (26 November)
AI has exacerbated pre-release piracy and streaming manipulation, warns the director of global litigation at the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Digital piracy in Mexico still a problem despite government promises (25 November)
High volumes of circumvention devices, coupled with a lack of IP understanding among prosecutors and limited IP office powers, mean digital piracy remains rife.
Marketplace infringements spike as counterfeiters target holiday shoppers (24 November)
Global brands must be on red alert to avoid financial, reputational and public safety risks, says Matteo Amerio, president of brand and content protection at Corsearch.
Cameo granted OpenAI TRO; major Europol seizures; Birkin bag recognition (28 November)
Five bite-sized updates to keep you in the loop on the week’s news feature brands including Suno, Thomson Reuters and Warner Music Group.
Government & Policy
Inside USPTO operations: seven questions answered by Coke Morgan Stewart (24 November)
The USPTO deputy director discusses pendency, office finances and AI at the INTA Leadership Meeting.
IP offices urged to confront trademark clutter before registers reach breaking point (27 November)
New study delivers stark warning on how trademark registers are becoming saturated with unused or excessively broad rights.
Inside the UK’s proposals to limit copyright for 3D functional designs (26 November)
High Court rulings in WaterRower and J Mac Safety have left UK designers at risk of reduced protection for 3D functional designs. A UKIPO consultation is seeking views on a range of possible reforms.
INTA charts new territory with trade secrets model guidance (26 November)
INTA’s first Trade Secrets Model Guidance sets out baseline principles for civil trade secret protection and harmonisation across a fragmented landscape.
AI policy watch: need-to-know updates from November 2025 (28 November)
WTR’s monthly column cuts through the noise to present the AI policy developments that IP professionals most need to know about.
EUIPO launches Copyright Knowledge Centre; USPTO office location deadline looms (26 November)
Our latest IP office news also includes updates from Chile, Germany and the Philippines.
Community Talk
Now is the time to recognise in-house trademark excellence (29 November)
Our nomination process comes at a time when pressures on corporate legal functions continue to mount.
