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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.

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.

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.

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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

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

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

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

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Anti-counterfeiting

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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

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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

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

2 Jul 2018

INTA “extremely disappointed” with WTO plain packaging ruling, considering next steps

In a landmark ruling, the World Trade Organisation has upheld Australia’s tobacco plain packaging regime as being consistent with its trade obligations. The response has been mixed, with INTA voicing its disappointment and confirmed it is regrouping on the issue. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

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31 Oct 2019

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

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

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

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

Goverment/policy

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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

18 Oct 2018

“Leveraging the law is not the whole solution”: interview with Philip Morris’ Herman Cheung

In an exclusive interview, the tobacco giant's Manager of Illicit Trade Prevention talks to WTR about the importance of anti-counterfeiting efforts as the company transitions to a smoke-free future. Read more

10 Sep 2018

Where did it all go wrong in the WTO plain packaging dispute?

The World Trade Organisation’s panel report in the cases brought against Australia’s plain packaging regime is difficult reading – and some of its key arguments are without merit. Read more

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

Law firms

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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

14 Dec 2016

The limited scope of Section 229 privilege

The Federal Court of Australia has outlined the limited scope of the privilege applicable to the work of registered trademark attorneys contained in Section 229 of the Trademarks Act 1995. Trademark attorneys should be aware that not all activities will fall within the scope of the privilege, which covers only communications made for the dominant purpose of providing IP advice. Read more

IP offices

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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

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

Online

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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

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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

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

22 Mar 2019

Review your IP arrangements: IP exemption from competition laws soon to be repealed

Section 51(3) of the Australian Competition and Consumer Act, which exempts conditional licensing or assignment of IP rights from most of the prohibitions on cartel conduct, is due to be repealed. Businesses are strongly urged to review their IP arrangements to ensure that they comply with the competition laws. 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

Trademark law

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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

Twitter

11 Dec 2019

@WTRmagazine Fleet Feet’s court victory against Nike highlights challenges in using and protecting slogan marks.… https://t.co/Wn2yV3Gbqa Read more

11 Dec 2019

@WTRmagazine Five counterfeit hotspots in Greece that brand owners should be aware of. https://t.co/2pVJD5flOF https://t.co/mSMzLHs7kc Read more

11 Dec 2019

@WTRmagazine Luxury brands and enhanced IP protection: lessons from Claridge’s and Prada disputes. https://t.co/bsRl9HogpM https://t.co/gKu1CySWG0 Read more

11 Dec 2019

@WTRmagazine Baby Yoda IP protection, wilful counterfeit purchasing, and Fashion Week legal battle intensifies: news digest.… https://t.co/GigO0xT0un Read more