Led by partner Cindy Goh, the IP practice at Cheang & Ariff maintains its position in the trade mark prosecution ranking this year. Noted by a client for "always responding promptly", the firm provides IP services to corporate entities such as Toyochem Chemical Specialty, a subsidiary of established Japanese ink manufacturer Toyo Ink, and Luxasia, an Asian distributor of global cosmetic and fragrance brands such as Calvin Klein, Burberry, Aigner, Davidoff, Guerlain, Prada, and Hermès.
Praised by a client for "quality professional staff and assistants", the firm represented Nissin Food Holdings in a trade mark infringement and passing-off case that involved producers of instant noodles in Japan and Malaysia. This matter was settled in February 2010.
Over the last year the IP team has been doing opposition work for client Kawasaki Heavy Industries against a trade mark registration by a Taiwanese company. A pivotal issue in this matter is showing the extent of protection available to a well-known client against another company claiming to have been using the trade mark as well.