The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012 was intended to address six key areas, one of which was to raise the quality of granted patents. The aim of raising patent quality was to ensure that patents granted in Australia were more closely aligned with international standards and with those granted by our …
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Some may remember a time when business methods were patentable subject matter, and at first glance it seems that the increasingly popular AI, ChatGPT, would like us to return to these halcyon days. When pushed, however, ChatGPT does recommend that you seek the professional advice of a patent attorney. ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by …
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Congratulations to our Managing Principal, Ross McFarlane, for being named as one IAM’s Global Leaders for 2023. This is a very significant achievement as being awarded this status as Global Leader requires attorneys to already be ranked in IAM Patent’s Gold Tier. Ross has also been a highly recommended individual in the IAM Patent 1000 …
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Keen cyclists may be aware of a two-year patent stoush between bicycle component manufacturers SRAM and Princeton Carbon Works (PCW). Following a two-week trial, a Miami Jury has found that a carbon fibre bicycle wheel produced by PCW did not infringe two of SRAM’s US Patents. The SRAM patents US 9,610,800 and US 10,611,188 relate …
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In an all too common scenario, the iconic 1959 Mini design has recently attracted the interest of a Chinese electric vehicle company known as Beijing Estech Technology Co (BET). BET had filed a design with the Chinese Intellectual Property Office (CNIPA), heavily based on the classic 1959 Mini design, albeit with very minor changes. This …
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It has been several years since the ‘new’ New Zealand Patents Act came into force and we are beginning to see how the practicalities of this regimen are playing out. The recent decision, Intelli Particle Pty Ltd (‘Intelli’)[1], illustrates some important aspects of contemporary New Zealand practice. Despite being the subject of a Global Patent …
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Better Beer Co, the brainchild of The Inspired Unemployed and Torquay Beverage Co Pty Ltd, has prevailed in a dispute against Brick Lane Brewing over its carb-free beverage branded Better Beer. Brick Lane Brewing commenced proceedings against Better Beer in 2021 alleging that the promotion and sale of Better Beer in a get-up similar to …
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The High Court’s recent decision in Realestate.com.au v Hardingham[1] has reversed the Full Court’s majority decision[2] and, in doing so, highlighted the importance of ensuring agreements are reflected in writing. BackgroundHardingham and his company Real Estate Marketing Australia Pty Ltd (Hardingham) were engaged by real estate agencies over the phone to take photographs and produce …
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Steinlager markets itself as New Zealand’s finest beer, but its foray into a Japanese style frothie fell a little flat after a trade mark challenge from Asahi Beverages. Lion NZ Ltd launched TOKYO DRY, as part of its Steinlager range in NZ in November 2016. For those beer lovers among us, the brew was described …
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A recent Australian Designs Office decision highlights the potential importance of including a Statement of Newness and Distinctiveness (SoND) in an Australian design registration, as well as the extent to which an SoND can influence the scope of protection. Griffith Hack v Clipex[1] concerned 22 design registrations owned by Clipex, with each design in respect …
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