News

25th Jun 2021

Spruson & Ferguson appoints three Principals and makes 14 new promotions for 2021

Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Principals across the firm as part of the 2021 promotions. The appointments were part of a broader group...

Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Principals across the firm as part of...

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24th Jun 2021

Ten top tips for engaging a software developer

It is absolutely essential, when engaging a software developer, to have mechanisms in place to ensure that the end product meets your needs. Will the software function in accordance...

It is absolutely essential, when engaging a software developer, to have mechanisms in place to ensure that the end...

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23rd Jun 2021

Abolition of Australia’s innovation patent – 25 August 2021 is the magic date – here’s what you need to know…

The abolition of Australia’s second-tier “innovation patent” system has been well publicised and comes with a “magic date” of 25 August 2021.  But what does “abolition” really mean, and...

The abolition of Australia’s second-tier “innovation patent” system has been well publicised and comes with a “magic date” of...

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21st Jun 2021

Patent term extensions in Australia: Ono “first regulatory approval” decision overturned

Australia’s Federal Court Decision, Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, overturns the Patent Office Decision, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. et al APO 43,...

Australia’s Federal Court Decision, Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, overturns the Patent Office...

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18th Jun 2021

Spruson & Ferguson named Asia-Pacific IP Boutique Firm of the Year

We are delighted to announce that Spruson & Ferguson has been awarded Asia-Pacific IP Boutique Firm of the Year. This prestigious award presented by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) recognises Spruson...

We are delighted to announce that Spruson & Ferguson has been awarded Asia-Pacific IP Boutique Firm of the Year. This...

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17th Jun 2021

All in the name of… Barton: the difficulty of registering surnames and place names in Australia

The recent decision of NATOWatchbands.com LLC ATMO 31 illustrates the difficulty in registering surnames and place names as trade marks in Australia. Background NatoWatchBands.com, LLC (Nato) sought to register an...

The recent decision of NATOWatchbands.com LLC ATMO 31 illustrates the difficulty in registering surnames and place names as...

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16th Jun 2021

The Australian Federal Court says “Oh No” to the Patent Office’s interpretation of the first regulatory approval for pharmaceutical patent term extensions

In Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, the Federal Court has overturned the Australian Patent Office’s decision in Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd et al...

In Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, the Federal Court has overturned the Australian...

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16th Jun 2021

Spruson & Ferguson practitioners recognised in Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars across the Asia-Pacific

In addition to Spruson & Ferguson receiving multiple rankings in this year’s Managing Intellectual Property’s Firm IP Stars, a number of Spruson & Ferguson practitioners have also been recognised...

In addition to Spruson & Ferguson receiving multiple rankings in this year’s Managing Intellectual Property’s Firm IP Stars, a...

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16th Jun 2021

Trade Marks and New Zealand Prime Ministers’ Nicknames – AUNTY HELEN and JACINDARELLA

It is quite common for country leaders to be given catchy nicknames by the press. Some stick better than others. In the US, there are examples such as JFK, LBJ,...

It is quite common for country leaders to be given catchy nicknames by the press. Some stick better than...

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15th Jun 2021

Singapore’s 10-year plan for IP growth

Singapore has launched a plan on 26 April 2021 that indicates its ongoing and future efforts to keep it as a global hub for enterprises with IA/IP investments. Singapore has...

Singapore has launched a plan on 26 April 2021 that indicates its ongoing and future efforts to keep it...

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9th Jun 2021

Dead or Alive: Statuses, Patent Expiries and Kind Codes – Part 1

You've found a patent of interest but how do you know if it's dead or alive, and if alive, when it expires, and what exactly do those kind codes...

You've found a patent of interest but how do you know if it's dead or alive, and if alive,...

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8th Jun 2021

Indonesia update: settlement of unpaid patent annuities under “Crash” Program

As a brief background, under the old Indonesian patent law (i.e. before 26 August 2016), annuities could be paid up to three years from the due date. If annuities...

As a brief background, under the old Indonesian patent law (i.e. before 26 August 2016), annuities could be paid...

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