EU Clarifies Trademark Canceling Rule, Aiding Brand Owners (1)

European Union courts can’t throw out a trademark just because it covers a vague range of product and services, the bloc’s highest court said in a decision that could benefit brand owners.

Once a trademark is registered, judges must find reasons to cancel it beyond the fact that it’s overbroad, the Court of Justice for the EU said, clarifying the law in a case involving Sky plc’s trademarks for computer software.

A trademark challenger must show more than overreach to argue that a company registered a mark in bad faith, such as by showing the brand owner was specifically trying ...