Law Commons^™

Plain Packaging And The Interpretation Of The Trips Agreement, Susy Frankel, Daniel Gervais

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Plain packaging of cigarettes as a way of reducing tobacco consumption and its related health costs and effects raises a number of international trade law issues. The plain packaging measures adopted in Australia impose strict format requirements on word trademarks (such as Marlboro or Camel) and ban the use of figurative marks (colors, logos, etc.). As a result, questions have been raised as to plain packaging's compatibility with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).

WTO members can validly take measures to protect and promote public health, but in doing so they …

"Shelter Chic": Can The U.S. Government Make It Work?, Kristina R. Montanaro

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Note discusses government donations of seized counterfeit goods to charitable institutions and the implications of these practices. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contributions to the Red Cross for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort serve as a backdrop for important concepts. In making these contributions, the CBP relied on its emergency authority and a presidential proclamation to avoid basic statutory requirements that it (a) obtain consent from the right holders and (b) de-trademark counterfeit goods prior to donation. While the donations inarguably benefitted countless disaster victims and freed up valuable CBP warehouse space, they may have had a detrimental …

Promoting Intellectual Property For Economic Growth, Rita Hayes, Ambassador

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The World Intellectual Property Organization, based in Geneva, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with international intellectual property matters. The Organization is perhaps best known for international agreements such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (the PCT), The Madrid Agreement, and the Hague Agreement, which provide international registration and protection for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, respectively.

The Organization's work in standard setting--through the development of international intellectual property law--covers the range of intellectual property from industrial property to copyright. Many of you are familiar with the WIPO Internet Treaties, two international treaties that came into force …

Trademarks And Geographical Indications: Exploring The Contours Of The Trips Agreement, Paul J. Heald

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Professor Heald focuses upon the trademark provisions of TRIPS, which have received less attention than the patent and copyright provisions. He closely examines TRIPS' substantive trademark provisions, including the definition of trademark, eligibility for registration, rights of registrants, and assignments / licensing. Professor Heald then considers geographical indications of products' origins, particularly the unique issues raised by the wine and spirits industry. He also discusses enforcement issues, absence of use requirements, dispute resolution, and the U.S. domestic implementing legislation before closing with a general assessment of the pluses and minuses TRIPS offers in the area of trademark protection.

Case Digest, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Case Digest provides brief analyses of cases that represent current aspects of transnational law. The Digest includes cases that establish legal principles and cases that apply established legal principles to new factual situations. The cases are grouped in topical categories, and references are given for further research:

Constitutionality of the Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments Upheld over Challenge by Deportable Alien and United States Spouse

Anetekhai v. Immigration and Naturalization Service

876 F.2d 1218 (5th Cir. 1989)

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Standing Granted to Challenge Hostile Takeover between Foreign Firms under United States Antitrust and Securities Laws

Consolidated Gold Fields PLC v. Minorco, …

Recent Decisions, James A. Walker, Charles A. Daughtrey, A. Dale Wilson

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW--PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REMOVE PRESIDENTIALLY APPROVED CAB ORDER FROM SCOPE OF THE WATERMAN DOCTRINE

James A. Walker

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EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES--TRADEMARK RIGHTS--COURT OF JUSTICE PREVENTS THIRD PARTY FROM AFFIXING TRADEMARK TO GOODS SOLD UNDER ANOTHER MARK

Charles Anthony Daughtrey

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THE TREATY POWER--THE PROPERTY CLAUSE PERMITS THE TRANSFER OF UNITED STATES PROPERTY THROUGH SELF-EXECUTING TREATY

A. Dale Wilson

Recent Decisions, Robert S. Patterson, George M. Taylor, Iii

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The instant decision is an evolutionary step in the development of extraterritorial antitrust but it falls short of establishing a workable standard. What the decision does point out is that the courts lack the experience and expertise necessary to deal effectively with the application of antitrust laws abroad. This inexperience will further erode the consistent application of United States antitrust laws abroad as the courts begin to hear cases involving less obvious offenses and less significant effects on United States commerce." If, as Sabbatino suggests,' the primary competency of the Executive in foreign affairs is to be the major factor …