IP Australia recently released its Australian IP Report for 2024, which covers various trends and statistics regarding registered intellectual property rights in Australia for the previous year. According to the report, Australia saw significant growth in applications for trade marks in 2023.
Read MoreIn the world of fashion, cosmetics, and consumer goods, ‘dupes’ have become increasingly popular. While cheaper alternatives to high end products is nothing new, the term ‘dupe’ has entered common parlance in recent years. The popularity and perception of dupes has evolved with increasing cost of living pressures and a generational shift in consumption of goods and media normalised by Gen Z.
Read MoreApple stores are more than just places to buy iPhones and MacBooks – they are experiences. We have all been to an Apple store and seen the distinct look and feel. From the sleek wooden tables to the iconic glass staircases. The layout is clean, minimalist and designed to showcase the products in the best possible way. But can the Apple store retail layout be trademarked?
Read MoreIn the vast expanse of the internet, domain names are like digital storefronts, essential for businesses and individuals to stake their claim online. However, amidst the plethora of legitimate domain registrations, a darker practice known as cybersquatting lurks. This phenomenon occurs when individuals register domain names in bad faith, aiming to profit from the reputation of established trade marks or businesses.
Read MoreIP Australia is replacing the current Trade Marks Goods and Services list (aka the picklist) with the Madrid Goods and Services (Madrid List) list in March 2024. This change will bring Australian trade mark classification standards in line with international best practice; make global trade mark protection easier for Australians doing business overseas.
Read MoreThe European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) recently decided that simple emojis cannot be trademarked under European law. Here’s what happened: Background emoji In December 2021 a German company Käselow, sought to have a commonly used emoji registered as their trademark. The mark in question was an image of a hand sign commonly understood to mean ‘ILY’ or ‘I Love…
Read MoreThe metaverse is an interactive digital environment encompassing all virtual worlds, augmented reality and the internet. A space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users in real time. In simple terms, a 3D version of the internet. 1. Facebook’s nod to the metaverse Following Facebook’s rebranding to Meta, privacy concerns have been raised given Facebook’s history…
Read MoreKey takeaways Recent developments of ChatGPT has triggered debate surrounding the legalities of its content. ChatGPT threatens authors and artists whose work may be used in ChatGPT content without their permission. ChatGPT also raises copyright issues for those who use ChatGPT to create content, as without a human author, it can be difficult to claim copyright infringement. ChatGPT is an…
Read MoreMost of you will have heard Ed Sheeran's blockbuster song 'Shape of You', the most streamed song in Spotify's history with over 3 billion streams. You may also have heard about the copyright case in which Sheeran and his co-writers were accused of plagiarising the 2015 song 'Oh Why' by Sami Chokri...
Read MoreAn ongoing legal dispute between clothing designer, Katie Jane Taylor and American singer-songwriter, Katy Perry, continues to make headlines. Taylor, owner of the registered trade mark 'Katie Perry', claims that Katy Perry's use of the mark 'Katy Perry' for her products is deceptively similar. In response to Taylor's claim, Katy Perry...
Read More