Category Archive

The Importance of Due Diligence in Brand Searches A string of recent decisions from the Australian Federal Court has emphasised the importance of undertaking due diligence trade mark searching before launching a new brand. Not taking the necessary steps to determine availability of the mark may compromise not only a trader’s ability to rely on honest concurrent use provisions in …

Australia’s Emergence in the Semiconductor Sector Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, and Australia is stepping into the spotlight in this critical field with its high-quality research and niche capabilities in telecommunications, healthcare, and quantum technologies. In our latest article, semiconductor expert Phil Burns explores Australia’s thriving semiconductor sector and analyses the patent trends in high-impact areas. Drawing on …

What you need to know to safeguard your most valuable asset We know that it is important that a business keep good business records for at least 5 years in Australia, if not longer, to ensure that it can make good decisions for the business and its employees, show its financial position, and meet its obligations relating to taxation and …

Wrays Principal and experienced patent attorney, Dr Penelope Farbey, recently featured on Jeremy Chetty’s podcast, The Young Entrepreneurs Show, where she shared personal insights into her field and the world of intellectual property. In this episode, Penelope deep dives into: 🎙️Why she chose to become a patent attorney and what makes her job so fulfilling – helping creators protect their …

IP Australia (Australia’s Patent, Trade Marks and Designs Office), recently announced proposed fee changes with an expected implementation date of 1 October 2024. The proposed fee changes are sweeping and will affect many stages in the registration and renewal of patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder’s rights. A summary of the proposed changes can be found at the link …

Early this week IP Australia (Australia’s Patent, Trade Marks and Designs Office), announced fee changes with an implementation date of 1 October 2024. Included in the increase in fees is a change in the procedure and calculation of the excess claims fee.  The changes will have a significant impact on the timing of the calculation of the excess claims fees, …

The Ethics of Using it in Legal Practice New artificial intelligence (AI) tools are continually being rolled out for lawyers and attorneys with promises to revolutionise the way that practitioners undertake legal research, discovery, due diligence, and legal drafting, and offer exciting opportunities for practitioners. But what do practitioners’ ethical obligations say about the use of AI in legal practice? …

The courtroom battles and the future of the vaccine technology The Covid-19 pandemic may be officially over, but the battle surrounding the technologies developed in response to the pandemic continues in courtrooms and patent offices worldwide. As the technology is adapted to address divergent diseases, the demand for new vaccines persists, leading to an ongoing surge in patent filings and …

A small first step in the protection of Indigenous traditional knowledge The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in May 2024, after almost 25 years of negotiations, approved a historic new treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. In particular, the new treaty seeks to import a requirement on prospective patent applicants to disclose the country of origin …

How close is too close? In this era of beauty influencers, filtered photographs, and an endless array of luxury cosmetic and skincare products marketed at high price points to achieve “the perfect look”, it is no wonder that the market for cheaper “copycat” cosmetic products is on the rise. In fact, selling products that are “inspired” by more expensive luxury …