Wayward brewer bursts SABMiller beer bubble

Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick joins our client, Peter Philip, to celebrate a win in a trade mark opposition brought by SABMiller India Limited against Mr Philip’s Australian trade mark application for WAYWARD, covering beer in class 32. Mr Philip is a micro-brewer, who started his business in the inner-west of Sydney in 2012. Mr Philip has …
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Terminating IP Agreements

Terminating an intellectual property (IP) agreement can be more complex than terminating more common commercial contracts. IP contracts deal with property – intellectual property. Thus the question arises as to what is to happen to that intellectual property upon termination. The agreement itself should provide for this or, if it does not do so explicitly, …
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Designs for Screen Displays

The Australian Designs Act 2003 provides a broad definition of the types of products for which design registration is available.  Nevertheless, one area of uncertainty has been whether electronic display screen images are suitable subject matter for design registration and certification.  Because of this uncertainty, there are numerous registrations on the Australian designs register for …
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Copying or inspiration: what’s the difference?

For designers in a fast moving field such as fashion, there is a fine line between following market trends and infringing a market leader’s copyright. A recent case in the Australian Federal Court demonstrates how easy it is to fall onto the wrong side of the line. The case was Seafolly Pty Ltd v Fewstone …
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Congratulations to our new Partner and Senior Associates

We are proud to announce four new promotions. Our patent and trade mark attorney firm Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick (POF) has added a new Partner and a new Senior Associate, and our IP law firm Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Lawyers (POFL) has promoted two Associates to the position of Senior Managing Partner Graham Cowin says, “The past …
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