Introduction

With this issue, Make Your Mark celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Our first issue hit the presses in spring 1998. The 10 years since have seen massive growth in brand protection and landmark changes in trade mark law and practice.

The number of CTM filings has skyrocketed beyond all expectations, and the boundaries of the system have been forcefully tested in areas ranging from registrability to conflicts, infringement and enforcement. In line with OHIM, the UK-IPO has ceased refusing applications based on prior rights unless opposition is filed. The E.U. itself has nearly doubled in size, and OHIM is at last making national office searches optional.

Ten years of practice and precedent have left many helpful markers by the wayside.

However, navigating the unremitting flow of relevant cases, practice edicts and guidance notes is a challenge for professionals and brand owners alike.

Distilling the practical know-how and impact from these prolific materials is what Make Your Mark sets out to achieve.

The next 10 years promise to be as exciting as the last. We hope you will continue to find Make Your Mark a trusted and reliable guide.