The IP complications of being Banksy Here’s a question. What is the situation where the creator of a work is a person who wishes to enforce their rights in the work, but who does not want to reveal their identity? The author known as “Banksy” is just such a person. Banksy, real name unknown, is a street artist who first …
Wrays welcomes Grant Shoebridge to the Sydney Life Sciences Team
Wrays is delighted to announce the appointment of Grant Shoebridge to the Sydney Life Sciences Team. Grant is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading patent attorneys with specialist expertise in the fields of molecular and cell biology, immunology, pharmaceuticals, cell and gene therapy, medical devices and diagnostic technology. Grant has extensive experience running patent oppositions including responsibility for five concurrent patent …
Protecting Australia’s Coat of Arms
How we use our most famous Kangaroo, Emu and Shield Since the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there has been speculation as to whether the Royal Arms would need to change and whether Royal Warrants granted by Her Majesty are still valid. A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who …
A Lesson in Inventive Concept and Timing
Vector Corrosion Technologies v E-Chem Technologies The Federal Court of Australia recently heard a patent entitlement dispute (Vector Corrosion Technologies Limited v E-Chem Technologies Ltd [2022] FCA 188) in relation to Australian Patent 2006224340 entitled “Treatment process for concrete”. Vector Corrosion Technologies Limited (Vector) claimed that it was solely or jointly entitled to the Patent registered to E-Chem Technologies Ltd …
Using Simple Intellectual Property Strategies to your Advantage
Lessons learned from a Start-up As someone working in patent dispute resolution, one of the most disheartening parts of my day is watching the same simple, but costly, mistakes being made by clients with a great new idea, but no idea whether another business has already protected it and, if not, how they can protect it. I’ve watched too many …
Understanding the New Franchise Disclosure Register – Obligations and Deadlines for Franchisors
Franchise Law Update Changes at a glance There is a new Franchise Disclosure Register (Register). Franchisors must create a profile on the Register and include key disclosure information. Franchisors must comply by 14 November 2022. The Register will be available to the public online, free of charge, from 15 November 2022. There are ongoing obligations on franchisors to update the …
Grand Final Week
The IP Story of the Sherrin Football When Geelong and Sydney take to the MCG for the AFL Grand Final this Saturday, the attention of Australia will turn to the Centre Square and that famous Sherrin ball. To celebrate AFL Grand Final Week, our IP experts took a closer look at that piece of elongated leather which has become synonymous …
Evolving Your Trade Mark
When Social Media and Changing Consumer Sentiments Encourage a Rebrand For companies trying to find a new trade mark, life has definitely become more complicated. Not only are there more marks on the Register but there are more factors to consider. Before the Internet, manual searches had to be done of the Trade Marks Register, company and business name registers …
Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited v. Commissioner of Patents
Night and Day in the Decision. And the Story Continues? As we reported here recently, the High Court of Australia handed down its eagerly awaited decision in Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited v. Commissioner of Patents [S40/2022] on 17 August. The case concerned the patentability of an electronic gaming machine (EGM) defined in the patent as comprising a range of hardware …
Jennifer McEwan talks the breadth of the law, greater competition in the market and Beethoven
Wrays Principal and National Practice Leader – Trade Marks Jennifer McEwan was recently interviewed for the publication Australasian Lawyer. We are delighted to share the interview with you. Jennifer McEwan trained as a research biochemist and was in the process of becoming a patent attorney when she realised that IP law was an island bordered by “a mainland of greater …