You don’t always have to start from scratch to acquire a registered trade mark.  Sometimes the smartest move is to buy an existing one. The traditional route to securing legal protection for a trade mark is to file an application with IP Australia, but buying a trade mark that has already been registered may actually […]

Digital communications and the internet make it easy for businesses to engage and transact with customers anywhere in the world.  However, the globalisation of commerce also means it’s crucial for business owners to be aware that rights and ownership of their trade mark are not universal and that different countries have different rules. The most […]

The terms ‘brand name’ and ‘trade mark’ are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two distinct entities.  And while there is uncertainty around how and why they are different, one thing is abundantly clear.  Trade marks play a crucial role in brand success and sustainability. This article looks at the differences between a brand and […]

From the outset, the boring disclaimer – note that trade mark infringement is a case by case matter and advice should always be sought if you believe you have a trade mark infringement situation on your hands. As such, the following is provided as general information only.   Ever wondered how discount grocery chain Aldi, […]

The process of deregistering a company in Australia can be fairly straightforward, but if any registered trade marks owned by that company are not transferred to another owner prior to deregistration, the process to retrieve ownership rights can be just the opposite.  It can be costly, complex and in some instances, impossible. The crux of […]