POF ranked Tier 1 for Trade Mark Prosecution in MIP IP Stars 2020

We’re delighted to announce that POF has achieved a Tier 1 ranking for Trade Mark Prosecution in the 2020 Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) IP Stars awards. This is the seventh consecutive year that we’ve achieved a tier 1 ranking.  This reflects the calibre and dedication of our trade mark attorneys to deliver excellent results, and …
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Will Brexit Affect Your IP?

After long negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the UK has exited the EU as of 31 January 2020 and entered an 11-month transition period from 1 February  to 31 December 2020. During this period, the UK will continue to operate under the laws of the EU, including those in relation to …
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Malaysia officially joins the Madrid Protocol

On 27 September 2019, Malaysia became the latest country to join the Madrid Protocol which provides for the international registration of trade marks. It became the 106th Member of the Protocol, which now covers 122 countries. Applicants from any of the 106 Members, including Australia, will now be able to file multi-national trade mark applications …
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“Substantially affecting the identity” of a trade mark

A number of provisions of the Trade Marks Act refer to the concept of “substantially affecting the identity” of a mark. These provisions relate to whether use of an amended mark counts as use of the mark as registered; whether a pending application is “substantially identical” to a prior mark; whether amendment can be made …
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Trade mark registration stacks up for JB Hi-Fi

JB Hi-Fi has won its battle to retain its Australian trade mark registration for STACK, its popular entertainment news brand, successfully challenging the Trade Mark Registrar’s proposed revocation. The trade mark STACK is used for JB Hi-Fi’s magazine and website, providing news and reviews for games, movies, tv and music[1]. The retailer acquired the unregistered …
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Brazil joins Madrid System

Brazil has become the latest member of the Madrid System. From 2 October this year, Australian trade mark owners will be able to seek protection in Brazil when filing an application for international registration using the Madrid System. The Madrid System enables trade mark owners to file a single international trade mark application to seek …
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US Trade Marks to require a US-licensed Attorney

The US Patent and Trademark Office has announced that, as of 3 August 2019, all foreign-domiciled trademark owners must be represented by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the US. Currently it is possible for foreign-domiciled owners to file submissions at the USPTO directly on their own behalf, although if they do …
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‘Lawyer X’: the enigma, the scandal and now… the trade mark?

In 2014, the Herald Sun broke the explosive story of an unnamed barrister moonlighting as a police informer. She was dubbed ‘Lawyer X’ and soon became Australia’s most infamous barrister. Shortly after her identity was recently revealed, it was announced that Foxtel and News Corp Australia had commissioned a drama mini-series titled ‘Lawyer X: The …
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