Visit

Australia

Sussex Royal trademark challenged: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face legal battle after receiving threat of opposition

A trademark application filed by the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the brand name 'Sussex Royal' has received a notice of threatened opposition this week, WTR can reveal.

17 Jan 2020

Siemens’ controversial coal mine contract has put brand at risk of greenwashing accusations

The German conglomerate has portrayed itself as a steward of sustainability, but when it comes to corporate social responsibility, it’s an all or nothing game as this week’s coal mine contract backlash illustrates.

20 Dec 2019

IP Australia fee consultation, Ferrero denied in Singapore, and call for USPTO examining attorney help: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Serbian IPO reducing its fees, the Korean IP Office getting a budget boost, US Senators opposing China’s WIPO director general nominee, and much more

Latest

View all

19 Dec 2019

A year in review: trademark experts in Asia-Pacific reveal their expectations for 2020

With the Summer Olympics taking place in Tokyo and the protection for geographical indications on the horizon in Russia, we head east to determine what experts in Asia and Oceania have learned from 2019 and how brand owners in these jurisdictions can best prepare for the next 12 months. Read more

6 Dec 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Australia

12 Nov 2019

Counterfeit hotspots in Australia and New Zealand that brand owners must be aware of

In the latest edition of our regular series focused on marketplaces across the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to Australia and New Zealand. Read more

31 Oct 2019

Trademarks and "style names" - can you tell the difference?

The decision of the Federal Court of Australia in Pinnacle v Triangl provides a new characterisation of the defence that a name is not being used as a trademark, when there is also use of a principal or ‘house’ brand. Read more

Refine content by:

Anti-counterfeiting

View all

12 Jul 2019

IP Australia launches visual search, most boycotted brands, and CNIPA reveals trademark data: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Colgate making an offer for Filgora’s skincare business, Tencent questioning the existence of singular or plural TLDs, Kylie Minogue commenting on that trademark dispute with Kylie Jenner, and much more. Read more

26 Jun 2019

Brands warned of counterfeit apps on Google Play; academic finds trademark protection of little help

A major new study has discovered nearly 50,000 potentially copycat apps on the Google Play store, with 2,000 deemed high-risk. However, the academic behind the study tells WTR that trademark protection is of limited help to combat such a widespread issue. Read more

7 Jun 2019

Next-generation trademarks: IP Australia on using blockchain to create smart IP rights

In a world first, IP Australia is using blockchain technology to create a “digital representation” of trademark registrations. We speak with the registry’s CIO, Rob Bollard, to find out more. Read more

13 May 2019

“Time for our political leaders to get involved” – war of words escalates after UGG decision in favour of Deckers

A jury in the US has found that Australian Leather wilfully infringed a trademark registered to Deckers Outdoor Corporation. The defendant has vowed to appeal, with one member of its legal team calling on the Australian government to intervene. Read more

Brand management

View all

21 Sep 2019

New Zealand thrives where others have failed – and it is all down to brand

The small island country has boosted its tourism by turning itself into a brand; the jurisdiction is increasingly attractive for multinational brands and it makes its presence known on the world stage. Read more

29 Mar 2019

Change.org responds to The Independent Group new name, IPOS GI registry, and delays at IP Australia: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at consumers being frustrated by “disjointed” brand experiences, an Oregon-based clothing retailer in a trademark fight against Under Armour, brands in an age of political division, and much more. Read more

22 Feb 2019

Time to place your bets? Casino gaming companies dominate EU and US trademark registers

Online gaming has driven significant growth in the gambling industry and key players are capitalising on intellectual property to protect their innovations. Read more

8 Feb 2019

Irish Whiskey GI protection, no-deal Brexit anti-counterfeiting “travesty”, and Alibaba and eBay on fakes: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Brainbase raising money to bolster its licensing platform, the discovery of fake leukaemia drugs, the EUIPO turning to blockchain to fight counterfeiting, and much more. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

View all

6 Dec 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Australia

12 Nov 2019

Counterfeit hotspots in Australia and New Zealand that brand owners must be aware of

In the latest edition of our regular series focused on marketplaces across the world that reportedly engage in the trade of counterfeit goods, we head to Australia and New Zealand. Read more

31 Oct 2019

Trademarks and "style names" - can you tell the difference?

28 Oct 2019

Havarti cheese backlash highlights controversial and emotive nature of geographical indications

Last week, the European Commission entered the name ‘Havarti’ onto the register of protected geographical indications. The ensuing backlash serves as a microcosm of the emotive political discourse that surrounds this form of IP protection. Read more

Goverment/policy

View all

10 Sep 2019

Taking the Pisco: protecting regional products

The discussion of geographical indications (GIs) in Australia has recently heated up as IP protection is a focus of the forthcoming Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement. Here is what Australian producers need to know. Read more

15 Feb 2019

Venezuela trademark warning, IP Australia chatbot success, and triumph for Butlers in the Buff: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a new online service launched by the Swedish IP Office, the Babybel wax-coating trademark being invalidated, scammers filing “fake trademarks” to hijack Instagram accounts, and much more. Read more

28 Nov 2018

Changing the law and elevating practice: dispatches from IP Australia

Following a record number of trademark applications, 2018 has been a busy year at IP Australia. Alongside core operations, the office has undertaken various initiatives this year – with more planned for 2019. Read more

20 Nov 2018

Russian president on fakes, Google trademark win, and tale of the counterfeit-catching brothers: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at Pakistan stepping up its fight against fakes, the Finnish IP office reminding users about an impending trademark change, IP Australia seeking user input, and much more. Read more

Law firms

View all

28 Aug 2018

Registrations double in Cayman Islands, Peppa Pig victory in China, and Aldi most trusted brand in Australia: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at China and Indonesia giving up the plain packaging fight, a Colin Kaepernick trademark application generating media buzz, why US colleges have been accused of trademark bullying, and much more. Read more

14 Aug 2018

IP Australia wins digital award, Stephen Colbert talks trademarks, and USPTO seeks new judge: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at a Minneapolis official who sought registered trademark protection of a blog that criticised her, a Delhi court getting tough on perjury in a trademark case, and much more. Read more

1 Dec 2017

Trademark filings in Australia stagnant but enforcement win rates remain surprisingly high: exclusive data analysis

World Trademark Review provides a breakdown of the Australian trademark landscape. Read more

15 May 2017

Vast majority of listed Australian IP firm clients think reduction of private ownership is against their interests

Australia has led the way in adoption of the public traded company model for IP law and attorney practices. But the findings of recent market research indicate that more than three-quarters of these firms’ clients believe that a reduction of private ownership in the sector is against their interests – again stoking critics’ concerns about the business model’s ethical implications and its impact on client-counsel relationships. Read more

IP offices

View all

1 Oct 2019

Asia’s top filers reveal strong growth prospects

World Trademark Review takes a deep dive into the top Asia-Pacific trademark offices and how they are modernising their systems to better protect applicants and streamline procedures. While this has positively affected filing levels, economic performance and domestic businesses will be key going forward. Read more

30 Apr 2019

Copycat wine corked, Dettol most trusted brand, and Lego gang knocked out: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at China hitting back at IP criticism, USPTO revealing cryprocurrency-related trademark applications, Alibaba settling a counterfeits case, and much more. Read more

26 Apr 2019

World IP Day celebrated around the globe, Special 301 released, and IP Australia annual report: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at planned IP improvements in Kuwait, research which finds consumers are quick to “dump brands”, LL Cool J prevailing in a trademark dispute, and much more. Read more

24 Apr 2019

IP Australia, EUIPO and UKIPO ranked most effective IP offices

A new survey conducted by WTR has found that IP Australia is the IP office most lauded by trademark practitioners around the world. However, users raised concerns with operations at a number of IP offices. Read more

Online

View all

16 Aug 2019

When a domain name is dropped, you need the best catcher in your team

A recent decision involving the domain name ‘ogio.com.au’ under the ‘.au’ Dispute Resolution Policy is an important reminder of how panels can have different approaches to the same facts in complex cases. Read more

31 Oct 2018

Clarivate Analytics snaps up TrademarkVision as new research offerings eyed

While the move is fundamentally a trademark industry acquisition, the move could also open up access to new industries and customers. Read more

4 Oct 2018

Descriptive explanation narrowly wins: L’Oréal fails to obtain transfer of ‘urbandecay.com.au’

In a recent decision under the ‘.au’ Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, a panel has refused to order the transfer of the domain name ‘urbandecay.com.au’ to L’Oréal, the owner of numerous URBAN DECAY marks. Read more

12 Apr 2018

Inside IP Australia’s digital transformation: from apps to brand-backed lending

In an exclusive interview with World Trademark Review, the general manager of IP Australia’s innovation & technology group expands on how the office’s digital transformation is helping users and reveals some of the organisation's ambitious future plans. Read more

Portfolio management

View all

9 Sep 2019

Federal Court clarifies limitation of own name defence

In Mitolo Wines Aust Pty Ltd v Vito Mitolo & Son Pty Ltd, the Federal Court of Australia has found that use of the name V. Mitolo and Son infringed trademark registrations for the mark MITOLO in relation to wine. Read more

5 Aug 2019

Sportsbet takes punt on descriptive mark

The decision of the Australian Trademark Office in Sportsbet Pty Ltd regarding the inherent capacity to distinguish of the mark SAME GAME MULTI provides a reminder of the perils of adopting descriptive trademarks. Read more

29 Jul 2019

Bad-faith oppositions beat BEN FORD, LIKE A BOSS

Recent Australian opposition proceedings involving the marks BARRY FORD, BEN FORD and LIKE A BOSS show that comprehensive monitoring is essential to help businesses identify and oppose applications which either infringe on an existing mark or are filed in bad faith. Read more

21 May 2019

Smooth victory for Bega in peanut butter trade dress case against Kraft

A dispute between Bega Cheese and Kraft Foods in Australia has been resolved with the Federal Court awarding Bega the exclusive rights to use a distinctive yellow, red and blue packaging to market its peanut butter. Read more

Trademark law

View all

1 Oct 2019

A tale of two flags: who owns the right to use?

The Australian government is considering whether to compulsorily acquire the rights to use the Aboriginal flag on public policy grounds. The debate raises questions over whether similar moves could occur in other jurisdictions. Read more

23 Sep 2019

The Aboriginal flag dispute in focus: who owns the right to use?

The Australian government is considering whether to compulsorily acquire the rights to use the Aboriginal flag on public policy grounds. Kate O'Rourke of Mewburn Ellis takes a deep dive into the debate. Read more

10 May 2019

IP takes backseat in Australian election as trademark practitioners grapple with recent law amendments

With campaigning in the Australian federal election in full swing, WTR finds that practitioners on the ground are not bracing for change based on the election result, but are adapting to recent legislative changes that international brand owners should be aware of. Read more

3 May 2019

“Just be respectful” – why brands must wise up to indigenous IP rights

WTR analyses how indigenous cultures are protecting their intellectual property and speaks with an expert on how trademark practitioners must be more aware of this burgeoning field of rights. Read more

Twitter

27 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @Interty: TikTok transparency report reveals positive data for #intellectual #property owners https://t.co/wuOQQ5GGSg via @WorldIPReview Read more

27 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @BRANDSTOCK_AG: Which are the most valuable brand in 2020? A clue: they are all companies that work in tech. Discover the Global 500 rep… Read more

27 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @MarksmenTweets: ICYMI @bakermckenzie reigns supreme as world’s strongest #lawfirm brand | World Trademark Review https://t.co/hSD5qYr5w… Read more

27 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine RT @OpSecSecurity: Not blocked – Meghan, Harry and a tale of trademark misreporting https://t.co/AJV2cwGQe3 by @WTRMagazine Read more