THE 2014 MELBOURNE CUP®

The first Tuesday in November in Melbourne means only one thing: The Melbourne Cup.  Run by the Victoria Racing Club, the Melbourne Cup has been held since 1861 and is witnessed by over 100,000 spectators at Flemington racecourse and millions on TV in Australia and around the world.

Not surprisingly, the race that stops a nation® has a number of trademarks registered including the cup itself (in the form of a shape trademark) as well as the overall carnival: The Spring Racing Carnival®.

The Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup trademark

As you might expect, many of the horses racing in the Spring Racing Carnival have themselves become well known steps have been taken to protect the intellectual property associated with the horse (typically in the form of trademarks).

For example, three time consecutive Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva is registered a trademark and so too are Aussie thoroughbreads Weekend Hussler and Black Caviar.  In the case of Black Caviar even the pattern of the silks worn by jockey Luke Nolen – salmon colour with black dots is trademarked.

Black Caviar - salmon colour with black spots - is trademarked
Black Caviar – salmon colour with black spots – is trademarked

The Melbourne Cup takes place on Tuesday the 4th November at approximately 3pm.  See the field of 24 horses here

Our tips:

 

1.  PROTECTIONIST

 

2. LUCIA VALENTINA

 

3. MUTUAL REGARD

 

Roughie: GREEN MOON

 

Good luck!

 

BCSE(Hons) MIP FIPTA

Mark’s academic background is in computer science and electrical engineering. He assists clients in obtaining and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the areas of software, electronics and engineering. Prior to joining Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, Mark worked for a leading automotive manufacturer.