Author name: Natalie

So, you have come up with a great new brand name or logo. It is unique and no one else has it. Well done! What next? The next step (and one which is often forgotten) is to apply for your trade mark as soon as possible. This will ensure that your new brand or logo […]

Why do I need to protect my trade mark overseas? First and foremost, trademark rights are territorial. Therefore, trade marks should be registered in all territories where the mark is, or even will be used. Put simply, delay in filing your trade mark may result in having to re-brand in some core countries. This can

The Intellectual Property Laws (Productivity Commission Response Part 1 and Other Measures) Act 2018 (Cth) commenced on 25 August 2018 and implements recommendations that the Productivity Commission made in its inquiry into Australia’s intellectual property arrangements. Of particular note for trade marks is the reduction of the period for filing non-use removal applications. Previously, a

On 22 March 2018 the Mexican Senate approved a Decree amending certain articles of the present Industrial Property Law and introducing new trademark provisions. One important change to the law relates to the requirement to lodge Declarations of Actual and Effective Use (DOU) of a registered trade mark. The DOU must be filed within three (3)

Late last year Amazon launched in Australia and while its arrival was a little underwhelming, online retailing is posing a number of challenges to brand owners including the ability to deal with the sale of counterfeit goods on Amazon. To assist sellers to protect their brands, Amazon has created the Brand Registry. While this program has been welcomed

On 8 March 2018, amendments to New Zealand’s Trade Mark Regulations 2003 and the Trade Marks (International Registration) Regulations 2012 were entered into force allowing an Australian address to be recorded as the address for service against New Zealand trade marks. Prior to this date, only a New Zealand address could be so recorded. The changes

On March 26, 2018, the Government of Afghanistan deposited with WIPO its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol.   The Madrid Protocol will enter into force, with respect to Afghanistan, on 26 June 2018. Accession to the Madrid Protocol by Afghanistan brings the number of Contracting Parties of the Madrid Protocol to 101. A list of

The Eleventh Edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks under the Nice Agreement (Nice Classification) has been officially adopted in Oman, according to the Trademarks Office. The Nice Classification is a system of classifying goods and services for the purpose of registering trademarks. The system

On 2 January 2018, the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) will come into force in Indonesia. Accession to the Madrid Protocol by Indonesia brings the number of Contracting Parties of the Madrid Protocol to 100. A list of the current members of the Madrid Union, with information on the dates

In an effort to improve the accuracy and integrity of the US trademark register, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently amended its rules to provide for the verification of declarations of use and cancellation of trademark registrations which do not reflect acceptable ‘use’ in commerce. Effective 17 February 2017, random audits will