Why is this important
This is the first public case of industrial design (packaging design) protection in Uzbekistan demonstrating the work of intellectual property legislation. BLANC BLEU is a successful local premium water brand whose design has become a replica.
What happened
- “Ocard” LLC (owner of BLANC BLEU) complained about the violation of the rights of the entrepreneur “Sh.N.”;
- The inspection confirmed: the entrepreneur was selling counterfeit water by copying the bottle design and trademark;
- The Ministry of Justice issued a warning about liability measures;
- The industrial design (bottle design) is registered as an intellectual property object.
Position of the Ministry of Justice
“BLANC BLEU has formed a wide recognition and client base in the domestic and international markets in recent years. Achieving this level is the result of long-term work by brand owners, significant investments in product quality, design, and promotion. Attempts to unscrupulously use another’s trademark and copy its appearance harm the right holder, mislead consumers, and undermine fair competition”.
Context
BLANC BLEU is a premium drinking water brand produced by Ocard LLC. We can tell by the characteristic design of the bottles: transparent glass, minimalist label, blue accent. Popular in restaurants, hotels, and premium stores.
Why they copy: A successful brand with recognizable design attracts fraudsters who want to profit without investing in quality and marketing. The counterfeit is cheaper than the original, but of lower quality.
Intellectual Property Protection: Uzbekistan is strengthening brand and design protection as part of reforms to improve the business climate and combat counterfeiting. Registration of trademarks and industrial designs provides legal remedies for protection.
The first public case: this is the first widely covered case of industrial design protection in Uzbekistan. The Ministry of Justice demonstrates that the law works and companies can protect their brand investments.
