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Launching a new brand without conducting a proper trade mark clearance search is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see as intellectual property lawyers in Australia. A name might look available at first glance, but unless it is legally cleared, you risk objections, oppositions, or even infringement proceedings. This comprehensive guide explains […]

In today’s competitive market, your most valuable business asset may not be your brand name or logo. It may be the confidential formula, pricing strategy, customer database, supplier terms, manufacturing process, or proprietary software code that gives you a commercial edge. Unlike patents or trade marks, trade secrets are not registered with IP Australia. There

“Alright, alright, alright” and AI misuse. What this trade mark move means for Australian brands. Imagine hearing your brand voice used in an ad you never approved. Or seeing a short clip of “you” speaking on social media, even though you never filmed it. For celebrities, that risk is now very real. For businesses, it

Online sellers operating in Australia are subject to strict obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). These obligations apply regardless of business size or whether sales are conducted through independent websites, online marketplaces, or social media platforms. Failure to comply with consumer protection requirements may expose businesses to regulatory action, financial penalties, and reputational damage.

Online brand infringement presents serious legal and commercial risks for Australian businesses. With increased digital competition, unauthorised use of brand names, logos, product listings, and online content has become increasingly common. When infringement occurs, businesses may have access to several legal remedies under the common law in Australia, the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and the

Selling online is now the principal growth channel for thousands of Australian businesses. Marketplaces and social platforms enable rapid scale, but they also expose brands to misuse, counterfeit listings, unauthorised resellers, cloned product pages, and content scraping. Effective protection requires pre-launch strategy, ongoing monitoring, and immediate enforcement tactics tailored to digital platforms. This article covers

In today’s fast-moving business world, ideas travel fast and so do copycats. As we move into 2026, protecting what makes your business unique is no longer optional. A strong intellectual property (IP) strategy has become essential for businesses of all sizes, across every industry. Whether you’re a startup, an established brand, or scaling into new

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has confirmed that the 13th edition of the Nice Classification will take effect on 1 January 2026. WIPO Below is a summary of what’s changing, plus the steps you can take now to keep new filings and your brand protection strategy on track. What is the Nice Classification? The

As an Australian IP lawyer with over 20 years of experience, I’ve never seen a faster rise in accidental trade mark infringement than what we’re seeing today and AI tools are a major reason why. AI has made branding, design, naming, and content creation accessible to everyone. But with that convenience comes a hidden danger.

Artificial intelligence tools have become a daily resource for Australian businesses. From brainstorming brand names to researching legal questions, AI feels fast and convenient. But when it comes to trade mark registration, relying on AI can expose your business to significant legal and commercial risks. As an Australian IP lawyer with almost 25 years of