There's an interesting trade mark dispute under way about
UGG. It touches on a range of IP issues – geographical
indications, generic terms, country-of-origin brands and Chinese
manufacture.
Many readers will know that UGG is a sheepskin boot originating
from Australia. UGG has apparently been around since the1930s, when
it was created to deal with the cold winters in Australia (the Blue
Hills region of New South Wales apparently can get cold). For some,
the UGG boot is not particularly aesthetically pleasing, so it
tends to be worn as a slipper.
Not in the US, however, where the UGG is something of a fashion
item. UGG is also a registered trade mark in the US, and the
registration belongs to a US company. The US company is now suing
an Australian company that makes UGG footwear and exports it to the
US. The US company alleges trade mark infringement and is claiming
damages and delivery-up of the allegedly infringing goods. There
have seemingly been some
