The Law Australia has very strong consumer protection laws, contained in the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). One consumer ‘guarantee’ requires that goods be of ‘acceptable quality’ (for example, fit for purpose, free from defects etc.). This guarantee applies to goods of a kind ‘ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption’ (consumer goods) …
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The expression ’use it or lose it‘ is often applied to retaining learned skills, but can also apply to retaining rights, particularly rights obtained by trade mark registration. In Australia, owners must use their mark within five years of applying for the mark. Once that five year period expires, any person can apply to remove …
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We are delighted to announce our newest patent and trade marks attorney, Michelle Blythe, who registered on 6 February 2017. Michelle joined POF in 2014, having completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine and a Master of Engineering (Biomedical), at the University of Melbourne. During Michelle’s Master’s degree she studied specialist subject areas including tissue and metabolic engineering, …
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We are pleased to announce that POF partners, Russell Waters, Michael O’Donnell and Greg Chambers, and Senior Associate, Marine Guillou have been recognised as leading trade mark professionals in World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 2017. WTR 1000 highlights individual practitioners and their firms in the trade marks field, identifying esteemed individuals in over 70 key jurisdictions …
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The British Government recently announced its intention to ratify the Unitary Patent System. As a result, the new European Unitary Patent System may be up and running in late 2017 or early 2018. As part of the new system, the British Government will host the Unified Patent Court which will hear disputes relating to European …
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POF patent attorney, Annabella Newton, was recently interviewed by Biomedical Research Victoria, in association with STEMM Central. Annabella discussed topics regarding intellectual property, as well as her academic background and extensive research experience, including her previous work with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The Australian Productivity Commission recently released its final report on their inquiry into Australian intellectual property (IP) arrangements. The Commission’s inquiry adopted a holistic approach considering all of Australia’s IP rights, with the specific intention of identifying ways the IP system could be improved. The final report was publicly released on 20 December 2016 and …
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POF is excited to be a part of CTF Curated, the Council of Textile and Fashion’s new program to support emerging Australian fashion labels and textile businesses. POF will be running workshops on IP and fashion law alongside crowdfunder Pozible, accountancy firm KPMG and the Marketing Team from the Melbourne Fashion Festival. For more information on the …
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In 3 Florinians Pty Ltd v PYT Enterprise Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1077, the owner of popular Greek restaurant, Little Greek Taverna, obtained an interlocutory injunction to stop two other restaurants from using the word ‘little’ along with the words ‘Greek Cuzina’, pending trial or earlier orders. A little confused? Shouldn’t a trader be able …
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On Thursday 1 and 8 December, POF celebrated the festive season in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. In Melbourne, POF hosted clients at Eureka 89. Located at the top of the Eureka Towers, Eureka 89 is famed for its spectacular views over Melbourne’s CBD and Port Philip Bay. In Adelaide, guests were invited to celebrate at …
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