New data breach reporting obligations commence in Australia

As of 22 February 2018, many businesses operating in Australia must disclose certain data breaches under the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme. The NDB Scheme applies to all Federal Government agencies, business and not for profits with a turnover greater than $3 million, as well as all other businesses who collect personal information or provide health …
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Patents in the high velocity world of Formula One

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With the Australian Grand Prix returning in March, Melbourne will once again play host to the fastest race cars in the world. For some, the race is the engineering Olympics. An action-packed sporting spectacular, each car on the grid representing decades of hard-fought improvements in material, mechanical, safety and software engineering all of which embodied …
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Meat & Livestock Australia issues statement welcoming long awaited decision

Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick client Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has issued a statement welcoming the highly anticipated Federal Court decision in Meat & Livestock Australia Limited v Cargill, Inc [2018] FCA 51. The case concerned an appeal from the decision of the Australian Patent Office dismissing an opposition by MLA and Dairy Australia to the grant …
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UKIPO offers opinions as an alternative to court proceedings

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Brexit and the imminent launch of the European Unified Patent is likely to increase United Kingdom (UK) national patenting activity. It is worth reminding UK patent right holders of the recently enhanced UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) opinions service which shows potential as a low cost alternative to court revocation proceedings. The opinions service serves …
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Proposed changes to the Australian Consumer Law

The Federal Government has released draft legislation to amend the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The draft is intended to give effect to recommendations made by Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) last year to strengthen consumer protection in Australia. The proposed changes include: Public companies will no longer be excluded from unconscionable conduct protections. …
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POF ranked as a tier 1 prosecution and strategy firm in WTR 1000

We are pleased to announce that POF has been listed as tier 1 in ‘Prosecution and Strategy’ in the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR) 2018. WTR is a globally renowned guide that shines a spotlight on firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in trade mark development, prosecution and enforcement. Firms qualify for a listing …
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POF hosts BioMelbourne’s ‘Hot or Not: Trends for 2018’

POF has once again hosted BioMelbourne’s ‘Hot or Not: Trends for 2018’. This annual panel discussion explores global trends for the coming year, determining what is HOT and what is NOT in 2018. This year’s panel focussed on what lies ahead for Melbourne’s biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical industries. The event was a huge success, …
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POF listed as finalist in the 2018 Client Choice Awards

POF is thrilled to announce that we’ve been selected as finalists for ‘Best IP Specialist Firm’ in this year’s Financial Review Client Choice Awards. Finalists are chosen based on real responses gathered from a wide range of users of professional services, and as such we’d like to extend our thanks for your support in bringing …
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Redbubble gets caught by Pokémon

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In Pokémon Company International, Inc. v Redbubble Ltd [2017] FCA 1541 the Applicant, who is responsible for the licensing of Pokémon related products, alleged that the Respondent had breached the Australian Consumer Law by making misleading and deceptive representations and also infringed its copyright in various Pokémon characters. Redbubble provides an online platform for artists …
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