Wrays’ Principal and Chair of the trademarks committee for Australia’s Institute of Patent and Trademark Attorneys, Jennifer McEwan shared her insights with ABC journalist, Jano Gibson into what constitutes an iconic trade mark in different countries. Bondi Beach is at the centre of an international trade mark dispute between Sydney cosmetics company, Bondi Wash and multinational fashion giant, Abercrombie & …
Congratulations to this year’s rising stars
We’re excited to announce a number of promotions across Wrays. Congratulations to Bindhu Holavanahalli, Donna Meredith, Ryan Boe and Adrian Huber. Wrays’ CEO Robert Pierce said, “This year, it is with great pleasure that I can tell you we have four more rising stars who have met our high standards for promotion. Effective as of 1 July, these promotions reflect our commitment …
The canned wine conspiracy – Wrays’ Principal Jennifer McEwan speaks with Today Tonight
Wrays’ Principal Jennifer McEwan shared her insights into how to protect brands when going offshore when she spoke with Today Tonight about the case of Barokes’ wine-in-a-can technology. Greg Stokes and Steve Barics of Barokes invented and patented the Vinsafe wine packaging system which enables wine-in-a-can to be successfully produced. Barokes sells wine-in-a-can directly in Australia through Dan Murphy’s but …
Flow Hive inventor stung by Chinese ‘copycat’ – Wrays’ Principal Andrew Butler shares his insights
Local and international copycats are a constant challenge for brand owners. Last week Wrays’ Principal Andrew Butler had the pleasure of speaking with Nina Hendy on some of the measures that can be used to protect your IP in Australia and abroad. This week Wrays’ Chairman, Gary Cox, sat down with Nina Hendy from The Age to share his insights …
Wrays appoints Robert Pierce as Chief Executive Officer
Hires Tony Wightman to be operations manager Wrays, one of Australia’s largest independent intellectual property firms, today announced that it has appointed current chief financial officer Robert Pierce to be the firm’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July. Mr Pierce will continue to be based in Wrays’ Perth office. Mr Pierce will work with current CEO Frank Hurley, who …
Wrays hires two new IP legal experts to further drive nationwide growth
Wrays, one of Australia’s largest independent intellectual property firms, today announced that it has made two new legal appointments in its Perth and Sydney offices to add additional legal and technical expertise and support its continued growth nationwide. Guy Provan has joined as a Principal in Wrays’ Perth office, and brings significant expertise in intellectual property litigation, patents, copyright, and …
Treasury Wine Estates wins China legal battle – counterfeiters left whining over loss
Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) recently announced that it has succeeded in recovering its right to ownership of the trade mark ‘Ben Fu’ in China. ‘Ben Fu’ is the accepted Chinese articulation of TWE’s iconic Penfolds wine brand, having been coined in the 1990’s. Whilst TWE’s exclusive right in China to the English word Penfolds was established a number of years …
Wrays acquires EKM ip as part of its national expansion plans
Reaffirms commitment to remain independent SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Wrays, one of Australia’s largest independent intellectual property firms, today announced that it has acquired Melbourne-based EKM ip. The acquisition is part of Wrays’ long-term vision to remain independent, while further expanding its operations Australia-wide. The combination of Wrays and EKM will be one of the largest independent intellectual property firms in …
Supporting entrepreneurs through Curtin Centre for Entrepreneurship Ignition program
Wrays was proud to sponsor this year’s Ignition program run by the Curtin Centre for Entrepreneurship from Sunday 4 September to Friday 9 September. The annual event is held in Perth and based on the successful Ignite program managed and delivered by the University of Cambridge Judge Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL). Ignition is a five and a …
Stolen business ideas – Wrays’ chairman Gary Cox shares his insights into IP protections
New product innovations forged by small business owners are being replicated by corporations every day in Australia. This week Wrays’ Chairman, Gary Cox, sat down with Nina Hendy from The Age to share his insights into the IP protections to put in place to minimise risk. “Business owners must never cut corners when it comes to legal protections or shy …