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Articles by Christopher Hall
EPO Ruling On Claim Interpretation Will Have Broad Impact
Use of Descriptions and Drawings in Claim Interpretation: The Enlarged Board of Appeal decided that the description and drawings accompanying a European patent or patent application should always be consulted to interpret the claims when assessing patentability of the claims. This represents a change from the prior practice of typically referring to the description only when the claims are unclear.
EPO Ruling On Claim Interpretation Will Have Broad Impact
By Christopher Hall, Craig Slater and Yelena Morozova ( August 4, 2025, 11:40 AM EDT) -- On June 18, the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office issued an extremely concise decision in referral G 1/24, in a case involving Yunnan Tobacco International Co. Ltd. and Philip Morris Products SA.[1]... Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence.
EPO Ruling on Claim Interpretation Will Have Broad Impact
• Use of Descriptions and Drawings in Claim Interpretation: The Enlarged Board of Appeal decided that the description and drawings accompanying a European patent or patent application should always be consulted to interpret the claims when assessing patentability of the claims. This represents a change from the prior practice of typically referring to the description only when the claims are unclear.
Jermaine Haley Signs with the Cleveland Charge
NBA world reacts to absolutely shocking Ja Morant news Shocking and frankly terrifying news broke regarding Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant on Sunday afternoon. The story doesn’t quite paint the 2022 Most Improved Player or his associates in the most positive of lights either. The Athletic delivered a bombshell report that detailed the shocking incident. It occurred last month after a game between Morant’s Grizzlies Read more...
What Covid-19 Did To Your Superannuation Without You Knowing About It
Since the 2020 lockdowns started, property prices have risen, home rentals are more scarce, and second-hand cars have increased in value. To add insult to these injuries, many Australians are paying 30% to 70% higher premiums on default insurance inside their superannuation – insurance most of them didn’t know they had or were paying.
Harvard professor Vikram Gandhi responds to ESG questions
ESG Clarity held its second live expert Q&A session on Twitter on 16 July with the Professor Vikram S. Gandhi, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School (HBS) and impact investment expert. Professor Gandhi has developed and teaches HBS’s first course on impact investing and has 23 years’ experience in investment banking where he influenced and informed the ways that impact investing has shaped investors’ responses to global markets.
Browzwear-Linked Substance By Adobe Bolsters 3D Design Asset Catalog
August 9, 2020 11:00AM ET After inking a partnership pairing its hyper-realistic design assets with Browzwear’s VStitcher and Lotta 3D design software in May, Substance by Adobe released more than 100 new assets in its ’20/’21 “Ready-to-Texture” collection. Calling remote design a “necessity” in the age of the coronavirus pandemic, Adobe’s Substance team said the addition of more than 100… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
The Story Behind Stegmann’s Sustainable EcoWool Clog Supply Chain
August 9, 2020 9:00AM ET Stegmann, a European footwear brand known for manufacturing sustainable products since 1888, has added to the environmentally friendly profile of its EcoWool clogs. Despite its experience producing responsible footwear for more than 130 years, the company calls the EcoWool line one of the most sustainable products in its history. Each EcoWool clog features an upper… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Cole Haan’s Staple ØriginalGrand Ultra Takes Tradition to the Streets
July 17, 2020 12:51PM ET Cole Haan tapped streetwear designer Jeff Staple to bring a street-style sensibility to its new, limited-edition wingtip oxfords. The Staple ØriginalGrand Ultra combines Cole Haans signature craftsmanship with distinctive styling, resulting in a “revolutionized” wingtip oxford. “I’m lucky to work with their innovation team and play with their technological innovations as they are developed,” Staple… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Techtextil North America, Texprocess Americas Bumped From 2020 Calendar
July 15, 2020 11:30AM ET No trade show in the United States seems to be safe from the specter of the coronavirus pandemic, including Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas, both of which have been postponed by show organizer Messe Frankfurt North America until their next planned appearances in 2021 and 2022. Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas were initially… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Messe Frankfurt’s First Yarn Expo Shenzhen Kicks Off on July 15 With In-Person Event
July 14, 2020 5:00PM ET As 2020 in-person trade shows continue to be pushed into the future due to coronavirus fears, the inaugural Yarn Expo Shenzhen kicks off on July 15 with 115 exhibitors gathering in China’s Guangdong province. The Chinese city of Shenzhen, linking mainland China with Hong Kong, will host the event at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
Sanuk Takes On ‘Chemical-Heavy’ Footwear Foam With Recycled, Vegan ‘SustainaSole’ Slip-Ons
July 14, 2020 3:55PM ET Surf-friendly footwear brand Sanuk launched a sustainable new line of vegan shoes for men and women on July 7, pulling from an ingredient cocktail upcycled fibers and foam. Along with the recycled materials used to craft the SustainaSole upper, sockliners and more, including cotton, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester and other fibers, the new line includes… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Informa Replaces September Magic Las Vegas With 8-Week Digital Event
July 10, 2020 5:00PM ET Adding to the recent rash of trade show cancellations, Informa Markets Fashion has canceled its in-person Magic event scheduled for September in Las Vegas, replacing it with a two-month-long digital expo. Just a few weeks ago, Informa said it would hold the bulk of its trade shows digitally, reducing its physical event footprint in 2020… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
NRF Moves Retail’s Big Show to June, Preps New January Digital Event
July 9, 2020 5:15PM ET The National Retail Federation has some changes in store for next year’s Big Show. On Thursday, the retail trade group said it will host a virtual event in January in lieu of its traditional in-person conference and trade show, which will instead be bumped to June and take place at New York City’s Jacob Javits… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription. Please log in, or subscribe.
Puma Debuts Performance Sneakers for the Casual Exerciser and Serious Athlete
July 9, 2020 3:03PM ET Puma released two new performance sneakers on June 25, catering to the casual exerciser and the more serious athlete. Puma’s UltraRide silhouette offers a minimalist spin on footwear design, utilizing a “reductionist” methodology aimed at creating a lightweight sneaker with strong rebound potential. Focusing solely on improving cushioning and responsiveness, the UltraRide is built only… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Mizuno Enerzy Performance Sneaker Offers Midsole Material Innovation
July 9, 2020 11:03AM ET Japanese sportswear company Mizuno released a new footwear silhouette on July 1 inspired by its latest outsole material innovation, “Enerzy.” The Mizuno Enerzy signature shoe is designed to enhance rebound and athletic performance, leveraging the softness and energy return of the Enerzy material to help wearers jump higher and go faster. “We recognize not only… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Foot Locker to Funnel $200 Million into Black-Owned Businesses, Communities
July 7, 2020 6:13PM ET Foot Locker has pledged $200 million toward supporting the Black community over the next five years through investments in youth-centric Black-owned businesses, purchases from Black-owned brands and donations to organizations dedicated to creating opportunities for minorities. Announced with support from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), Foot Locker CEO Richard Johnson said the… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
DTG2Go’s New Facility to Increase Direct-to-Garment Printing Capacity
July 7, 2020 3:51PM ET DTG2Go, the direct-to-garment printing subsidiary of activewear and lifestyle apparel producer Delta Apparel Inc., plans to open a new printing facility in Phoenix following a surge in revenue growth during the coronavirus lockdown. The new facility, expected to open in August, will help to meet increased demand for garments produced at on-demand manufacturing facilities, according… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Roger Federer Lends Superstar Clout to Vegan Leather Tennis-Inspired Sneaker
July 7, 2020 10:44AM ET Swiss performance brand On released its first sneaker created in partnership with tennis star Roger Federer. Dubbed the Roger Centre Court, the new footwear release aims to reimagine the classic tennis shoe, swapping out the typical thick sole for a silhouette more suitable for everyday comfort and wearability. “The minimalist design and easy comfort of… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Optitex Taps Daz3D to Bring 3D Avatar Models Into Digital Fashion Software
July 7, 2020 9:56AM ET Optitex users will now have access to 5 million smart-content assets to design virtual collections for buyers, vendors and marketers after forging to a new partnership with Daz3D, whose software enables users to create high-resolution 3D images and animations. Using Daz3D avatars and characters, Optitex users will have a “real competitive edge” compared to their… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Reebok Teams With Designer Charli Cohen for Tech-Themed Sneaker Drop
July 6, 2020 4:55PM ET A new running shoe drop from Reebok and high-concept fashion studio Charli Cohen explores how performance products can inform and enhance our relationship with technology. “Growing up in the first generation of digital natives, I’m fascinated by the conflict between the immensity of what technology gives us access to and the limitations of what the… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Doddle: 84% of Shoppers Say Good Returns Experience Drives Repeat Buys
July 5, 2020 12:29PM ET By Christopher Hall and Jessica Binns Covid has slammed the e-commerce gas pedal, drawing throngs of new consumers into the world of digital retail while much of brick and mortar had little choice but to shut down as the coronavirus pandemic ripped through the U.S. While online shopping undoubtedly propped up the discretionary retail sector while the viral outbreak did its… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Sneaker & Streetwear Retailer Snipes Opening 2.0 Concept Store on 7/9
July 2, 2020 4:00PM ET By Christopher Hall and Jessica Binns An international streetwear retailer is bringing an experiential new store to the heart of urban culture in New York City. After postponing the launch of its “2.0 concept store,” Snipes is putting the finishing touches on a Brooklyn outpost across from the Barclays Center, where luminaries like Jay-Z and Beyonce hold court while the hometown… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Foot Locker and The Infatuation Host Summer Sizzle Virtual Cookout
July 1, 2020 5:36PM ET With a new crossover event, Foot Locker hoped to find common ground between the fervently passionate fandoms of foodies and footwear fanatics. Foot Locker, in partnership with New York food review outlet The Infatuation, kicked off the hottest season of the year with its virtual “Summer Sizzle” cookout, catering to athletes, chefs and sneakerheads alike… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
This Boot Maker’s American Leather Supply Chain Means Producers Are Customers, Too
June 30, 2020 2:11PM ET Not every footwear brand has the advantages Ariat does—the same American ranchers that provide leather for its products play a vital role in providing the consumer insights required to make its Western, equestrian and work boots fan favorites. While the brand’s roots are based in traditional Western wear, founder Beth Cross felt there was white… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
US Footwear Brands ComunityMade, All Black on Coronavirus Impact
June 30, 2020 10:30AM ET When the coronavirus pandemic swept the land, the footwear industry was forced to react quickly to stem the coming tide of lost retail sales and burgeoning inventories as consumers stepped back from discretionary purchases. The pandemic’s impact was amplified for the small number of footwear brands that manufacture their products in the U.S. Even as… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Has Carbon EnergyRods and Hybrid Carbon Plate
June 29, 2020 1:00PM ET Companies are on a mission to take excess carbon out of the air, but footwear makers can’t stop packing it into race-ready running shoes. On Thursday, Adidas released the Adizero Adios Pro, a new marathon running shoe that builds on the now-standard and controversial carbon fiber plate found in most top-flight endurance-running footwear. On the… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Sustainable Puma Design to Fade Project Explores Biodesign in Apparel
June 28, 2020 10:50AM ET A new Puma project explores the design possibilities of sustainably produced materials and chemical-free dye in performance apparel, in a step toward a zero-waste future. Design to Fade marks Puma’s third project since 2016 that pulls inspiration from biological systems and processes, part of its efforts to minimize the harmfully pollutive effects that traditional apparel… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Black-Run School Footwear Leaves the Cachet, Clout-Chasing to Jordan, Yeezy
June 25, 2020 3:20PM ET School Footwear is trying to reset the market for status-worthy sneaker design with an accessible price point and a message that says “black brands matter.” Originally conceived in the early fall of 2019, the DTC sneaker brand received its first samples in January after designing “frantically” for months. In June, the up-and-coming sneaker brand based… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Retail’s Big Reopening at Risk Amid Surging Coronavirus Cases
Surging coronavirus cases are threatening retail’s grand reopening. Effective Thursday, Apple has shut down seven previously reopened stores in the Houston area after reported COVID-19 cases in Texas continue to rise at alarming rates. The move comes after the phone maker closed down 11 stores in the hard-hit states of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Arizona over the past week after opening around 30 stores in May, according to a statement obtained by NPR.
Puma RS-G Golf Footwear Takes From Classic Running Shoe Design
June 25, 2020 12:50PM ET Retro sneakers, golf and running shoes collide in Puma’s newest footwear silhouette, the RS-G. Puma’s latest footwear drop, named after the Running System (RS) shoe line Puma created in the ’80s and reintroduced in 2019, is designed to push the envelope in the golf footwear space, the company said. “The RS-G shoes are the perfect… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
Shoe Carnival Sales Higher Than Expected at Reopened Stores
June 24, 2020 6:09PM ET Shoe Carnival began re-opening its stores in May, and a first read on sales has topped the footwear chain’s expectations. On June 22, Shoe Carnival reported a year-over-year same-store sales increase of 28.1 percent, including a 4 percent boost in brick-and-mortar comparable sales for the fiscal quarter to date. “As we have slowly re-emerged with… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Sourcing at Magic, Footwear Sourcing Trade Shows Take New Shape This Fall
June 23, 2020 6:00PM ET After postponing August’s Sourcing at Magic and Footwear Sourcing trade shows into September, Informa Markets Fashion has sweeping plans to broaden the scope of its industry-standard events. On Monday, Informa announced plans to convert the trade shows into a three-month digital event accompanied by a focused Made-in-America in-person gathering in Las Vegas from Sept. 30-Oct…. This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Consumers Are Chasing the #sweatlife at Home—What Does This Mean for Athletic Retailers?
June 23, 2020 4:07PM ET By Christopher Hall and Jessica Binns A prolonged period of coronavirus quarantine coupled with widespread gym closures has rejuvenated consumer interest in feeling the burn in the confines of their homes. Relative to pre-pandemic numbers, 70 percent more U.S. consumers are now interested in pursuing the #sweatlife at home, according to an NPD Checkout survey gauging fitness trends and changing behaviors…. This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Women’s Wear Brand Nic+Zoe Opens Three New Stores Despite Coronavirus
June 22, 2020 6:04PM ET At a time when myriad players in the fashion stratosphere are pruning back their bloated brick-and-mortar bases, one purveyor of women’s apparel is moving in the opposite direction. Boston-based Nic+Zoe opened three new stores in May and June after temporarily tapping the brakes on expansion plans it had put in place prior to the coronavirus… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Here’s How Fashion Companies Are Recognizing the Juneteenth Holiday
June 19, 2020 12:55PM ET American businesses, from fashion to tech to retail, are endeavoring to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and embracing new ways to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery. Also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, Juneteenth celebrates the day news of emancipation reached formerly enslaved people in Texas on… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
DSW Parent Saw Comp-Store Sales Cut in Half During Covid-Crimped Q1
June 18, 2020 6:01PM ET DSW parent Designer Brands Inc. wielded tight control over inventory in a tough first quarter and expects to reopen the majority of its North American stores by the end of June. In a Nutshell: Designer Brands said it used its “best-in-class” inventory controls to keep inventory units on hand flat in the first quarter of… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
E-Commerce Sales Swell 81 Percent in May, Fueled by Sportswear
June 17, 2020 4:55PM ET Retail is surviving on its e-commerce wins, which have been fairly steady in the recent months of lockdown. In May, online buys spiked 81 percent. Some sectors, according to a recent report from electronic payments company ACI Worldwide, are experiencing triple-digit year-on-year growth as consumers begin to surface after the initial shock of the crisis…. This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
FFANY Set to Merge with the FDRA in October Pending Board Approval
June 16, 2020 6:24PM ET The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) will merge with the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) in a new deal that will see the storied footwear organization operate under the FDRA umbrella into the future. The merger, pending board approval at both organizations, is expected to into effect at the end of… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
The Children’s Place to Close 300 Stores by the End of 2021
June 15, 2020 6:59PM ET The Children’s Place plans to close 300 stores amid a growing focus on digital commerce that has accelerated amid coronavirus disruption. In a Nutshell: The children’s wear retailer said it had reopened 61 stores in the U.S. and Canada as of June 8, representing approximately 5 percent of its total fleet of 920 stores. The… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
Resort Women’s Wear Show Cabana Goes Digital on Joor Passport Platform
June 14, 2020 1:30PM ET By Christopher Hall and Jessica Binns Another trade show organizer is taking one of its popular events digital in the wake of a coronavirus pandemic shifting in-person gatherings online. Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs (LF&LF) has partnered with Joor’s digital wholesale platform to launch its resort-oriented Cabana women’s wear show in an online format on July 20, the date its Miami… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
COVID-Hit Pou Chen Corp. Reportedly Furloughs Thousands of Workers
June 12, 2020 2:20PM ET A footwear supplier to the likes of Nike, Adidas and Puma has reportedly furloughed at least 2,600 workers amid ongoing coronavirus disruption, driving up unemployment rates in Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), Pou Chen Corp. is a likely contributor to the 28,000 new furloughs reported for the week ending June 7. Local… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Coronavirus Lockdown Cut Chico’s FAS’s Q1 Net Sales Nearly in Half
June 12, 2020 1:23PM ET Though Chico’s FAS was attempting to reform its supply chain and navigate the onslaught of tariffs prior to coronavirus lockdowns, now the women’s wear and accessories retailer is planning to close up to 60 stores in the current fiscal year. In a Nutshell: In April, Chico’s said it believed the smaller size of its stores and… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
Genesco’s Net Sales Fall in Q1 But E-Commerce Shows Strong Gains
June 9, 2020 4:27PM ET Genesco, parent company behind Journeys, Schuh and Johnston & Murphy, missed Wall Street estimates for both earnings and revenue in the first quarter but the company feels confident strong digital growth will allow it to bounce back. In a Nutshell: As of June 9, Genesco said it had reopened approximately 1,000 of its 1,479 stores… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
Famous Footwear Sales Nearly Cut in Half in Q1 as Stores Reopen
June 9, 2020 12:13PM ET Caleres, the parent company behind Famous Footwear, Allen Edmonds and others, saw its net sales nearly cut in half in the first quarter. In a Nutshell: After shuttering its fleet in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Caleres has reopened approximately 60 percent of its store base as of June 4, including 555 Famous Footwear… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
Cole Haan Expands Zerøgrand Footwear With Performance Running Sneakers
June 8, 2020 5:05PM ET Cole Haan is taking on the performance running market after gaining traction with lifestyle sneakers. Expanding on its popular Zerøgrand footwear line, the Zerøgrand Overtake and the Zerøgrand Outpace imbue the brand’s signature craftsmanship with performance-ready attributes for men and women. “Our customers work for what they believe in and we endeavor to support them… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Volumental Footwear Scans Show Massive Regional Reopening Dissonance
June 8, 2020 11:15AM ET As retail steps back into the open following months of coronavirus lockdowns, Volumental has gathered foot-scanning data that offers insight into regional reopening differences. According to Volumental data for the week ending May 24, retail partners like Fleet Foot collected just 35 percent of the scans they generated the week of March 2-8—before shelter-in-place mandates… This content is for Annual and Limited members only.
Is This the End of Microstock Photography?
For those who are anywhere near the microstock photography industry, you may have noticed that there is a lot of shouting going on at the moment about the latest release from Shutterstock. If you have ever looked into the world of microstock photography, you can’t have helped but notice that Shutterstock is, possibly, the market leader within this industry. On par with them though is Adobe (aka Fotolia).
Tilly’s Q1 Sales Dropped 40% Though E-Commerce Climbed 54%
June 6, 2020 7:04AM ET California-based Tilly’s reported a net sales loss of more than 40 percent in Q1 after closing its entire store fleet in March. In a Nutshell: All of the specialty retailer’s 239 stores were out of commission during the Easter holiday and spring breaks, one of the retailer’s peak periods, said Tilly’s, which sells casual apparel,… This content is for Annual and Limited members only. You can read up to five free articles each month with a Limited Level Subscription.
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