Co-authored by Corina Lefter, Trainee Solicitor at Reed Smith LLP

Bridgestone's tire dispute in Panama opens door for milestone interpretation of investment treaty protection for trademarks

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has just released a decision on the expedited objections of the respondent state, Panama, in Bridgestone Licensing Services, Inc. and Bridgestone Americas, Inc. v Republic of Panama (ICSID Case No. ARB/16/34). The Tribunal, comprised of Lord Phillips (Chair), Horacio Grigera Naón (the investors' appointee) and J Christopher Thomas QC (the state's appointee), considered in which circumstances registered trademarks and, by extension, the licences for such trademarks can be considered as investments qualifying for treaty protection.