The Firm recently represented the Fond of GMBH in connection with appeal against the Trademark Office’s refusal (TMO). In 2017, Fond of GMBH filed the word mark “pinqponq” in Vietnam for the goods in Classes 16, 18 and 25. The applied-for mark was refused based on the earlier Vietnamese marks “Bing bong & Figure”, registered for " stationery and educational supplies; printed matter; paper and cardboard". 

The Appeal Division of the TMO upheld the appeal, finding that the visual and phonetic dissimilarity between the marks could not lead to confusion as to the origin of the goods on the part of the average Vietnamese consumers, who might believe that those goods come from the same undertaking or from economically-linked undertakings.

The case was initiated under the inter-parte proceedings reduced the examination stage. It would take around 3 months from the starting date to the final decision was rendered. A new record was set.

INVENCO is one of the oldest full service intellectual property law firms in Vietnam, specialized in patents, trademarks, designs and copyrights in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and other countries, while keeping costs at a moderate level. For further information about the firm, please visit our website: www.invenco.com.vn