News

28th Oct 2021

Who owns a nickname? AUNTY HELEN registration refused in New Zealand

James Craig Benson v Helen Elizabeth Clark NZIPOTM 6 Whether endearing or disparaging, Australians and New Zealanders have been giving each other nicknames for well over a century, and...

James Craig Benson v Helen Elizabeth Clark NZIPOTM 6 Whether endearing or disparaging, Australians and New Zealanders have been...

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28th Oct 2021

Biologische blocks Cresilon’s application to register TRAUMAGEL trade mark

Cresilon, Inc v Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH NZIPOTM 13 (23 June 2021) In this case, Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH (“Biologische”) succeeded in preventing the registration of the TRAUMAGEL trade...

Cresilon, Inc v Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH NZIPOTM 13 (23 June 2021) In this case, Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH...

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28th Oct 2021

JULES TAYLOR not confusingly similar to TAYLORS for wines other than ports

Jules Taylor Holdings Limited v Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman Limited NZIPOTM 12 (9 June 2021) An existing registration for TAYLOR’S and awareness of this mark in New Zealand was...

Jules Taylor Holdings Limited v Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman Limited NZIPOTM 12 (9 June 2021) An existing registration for...

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26th Oct 2021

The path to commercialisation: 10 things to consider after filing a provisional patent application

Significant resources are involved in research and development and conceiving patentable inventions, and the journey to commercialising an innovation is an equally large and involved task. Intellectual property (IP),...

Significant resources are involved in research and development and conceiving patentable inventions, and the journey to commercialising an innovation...

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19th Oct 2021

Cat fight? Caterpillar bulldoze Puma in procat trade mark stoush

Caterpillar have successfully appealed a decision by the Registrar to dismiss their opposition to registration of Puma’s procat mark (as shown below) for goods in Classes 18 and 25. O’Bryan...

Caterpillar have successfully appealed a decision by the Registrar to dismiss their opposition to registration of Puma’s procat mark...

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8th Oct 2021

Spruson & Ferguson practitioners recognised as Rising Stars in MIP IP Stars 2021

Senior Associate Dr. Adelia Lin has been recognised as a rising star in MIP's IP star rankings for 2020.

Senior Associate Dr. Adelia Lin has been recognised as a rising star in MIP's IP star rankings for 2020.

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5th Oct 2021

Not a tango dance but a cocoa and chocolate dispute

This article looks at the recent decision by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) in the Matter of a Trade Mark Application by Hardwood Pte Ltd and subsequent...

This article looks at the recent decision by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) in the Matter of...

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30th Sep 2021

The Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Act 2021

The Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Act 2021 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 10 September 2021. As mentioned in our previous article, this update will...

The Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Act 2021 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 10 September...

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28th Sep 2021

China’s battle against IP infringement: regulators may hold e-commerce platform operators responsible

In August 2018, an E-commerce Law for the People’s Republic of China was adopted. On 31st of August 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the...

In August 2018, an E-commerce Law for the People’s Republic of China was adopted. On 31st of August 2021,...

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21st Sep 2021

The intellectual proper-tea of teabags: Necessi-tea really is the mother of invention

How do you make a cup of tea?  Pot or cup...or mug? Loose leaves or a teabag?  Milk first or last?  Don't worry, this article is not about any...

How do you make a cup of tea?  Pot or cup...or mug? Loose leaves or a teabag?  Milk first...

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15th Sep 2021

Spruson & Ferguson appoints David Kennedy as Managing Director for Australia

Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of David Kennedy as Managing Director of the Australian business with effect from 30 August 2021. David is a highly accomplished...

Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of David Kennedy as Managing Director of the Australian business...

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14th Sep 2021

Aristocrat doesn’t make bank on its design: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited [2021] ADO 1

A design application by Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited (Aristocrat) for a bank of gaming machines has been refused because the representations were inconsistent with the product name for...

A design application by Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited (Aristocrat) for a bank of gaming machines has been refused...

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