Apple Store Demo Chargers Hit Grey Market: Legal Risk

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the “other types of signs” mentioned by Martini Manna & Partners, as referenced in the provided text:

The text specifically states that, according to Martini Manna & Partners, the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union) recognized that store layouts can recieve trademark protection.

This means that beyond traditional signs (like the Apple logo), the overall design and arrangement of a store – its layout – can be legally protected as a trademark element. This is a key point in Apple’s potential legal arguments, as it extends trademark protection beyond just logos and names to the entire retail experience created by the store’s physical design.

The text doesn’t list other specific types of signs, but it implies that elements contributing to the overall “trade dress” (the visual appearance of a product or its packaging, and in this case, the store itself) could be considered protectable signs. This could include things like:

* Color schemes

* Materials used

* Specific furniture styles

* Lighting arrangements

* Display methods

In essence, Martini Manna & Partners’ point is that Apple can argue for broad trademark protection encompassing much more than just traditional signage.