Archives for: ‘Robert Cooper’
The times they are a changin’? Innovation patents system review
The Options Paper of the Australian Government’s Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP), issued in August 2013, sets out various reform options for innovation patents, including their complete abolition. Final submissions on ACIP’s review of innovation patents, initiated in 2011, can be submitted to [email protected] by 4 October 2013. Innovation patents & ACIP’s review Innovation patents were established in 2001 …
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A break in transmission for online radio streaming
After last year failing to convince the High Court to increase the licence fees paid by commercial radio broadcasters, the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd (PPCA) has reversed its fortunes with a Full Federal Court victory in relation to online streaming of radio broadcasts. In hearing an appeal by the PPCA from an earlier decision of Justice Foster in …
Read MoreSounds confusing … when TiVo ‘cancelled’ Vivo
On 14 November, the Full Court of the Federal Court confirmed that the ‘Vivo’ trade mark was deceptively similar to TiVo and so was likely to deceive or confuse, but for slightly different reasons than at trial. In the red corner is TiVo, the answer for thousands of professionals who have despaired about missing, for example, Ellen DeGeneres’ midday ‘naughty …
Read MoreRed nose trade mark brings two charities to blows
Wearing a red nose has never been so controversial. In Australia, the National SIDS Council of Australia (NSCAL) runs Red Nose Day to raise money for research into ‘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’. In New Zealand, Cure Kids (CK) is an organisation that raises money for various diseases that affect children. Recently, CK has revived its Red Nose Day campaign which …
Read MoreBeastie Boys fight… for their right… by suing Monster Energy Drink
Following the death of founding Beastie Boys member, Adam Yaunch, the remaining Beastie Boys and Yaunch’s estate are suing Monster Energy Drink for using the band’s songs without permission and suggesting an endorsement that Beastie Boys had not given.
Read MoreTwo boy bands’ claims to the one trade mark head in opposing directions
We know that you’ve all been Up All Night waiting with bated breath for news regarding UK heartthrobs One Direction and their battle with their US namesakes over rights to the “One Direction” trade mark (see our earlier post here).
Read MoreEnforcing obligations of confidence against ex-employees
There are various ways, both legal and practical, to protect yourself against the risk of an ex-employee making use of your valuable business information and poaching your customers. One of the ways in which employers are protected is through the doctrine of confidential information. However, understanding the limitations of that protection is important. Read More
Google and Mr Brainwash in a Purple Haze over Hendrix and Coltrane images
Google has been accused of copyright infringement for using photographs of Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane in advertising its Google Music service. The action has been brought in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by the estate of James “Jim” Marshall, a photographer renowned for his iconic photographs of popular musicians (not to be confused with the James “Jim” Marshall who founded Marshall Amplification – or, indeed, James “Jimi” Marshall Hendrix).
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The CGK: Our review of Australia’s patent cases for 2012
We are excited to announce the launch of ‘The CGK’ – our review of Australia’s patent cases for 2012. This is the 10th edition of our annual patent review. The CGK examines the most important patent decisions handed down in 2012, including the Full Court’s decisions in SNF (Australia) Pty Ltd v Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd and Apotex Pty …
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