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Trade Mark Registration – What’s in a Name?
Sharon Givoni Consulting Intellectual Property, Trade marks
When we brand things, our brains perceive them as more special and valuable than they actually are. -MARTIN LINDSTROM The word ‘Nike’ with its ‘swoosh’ logo and the word ‘McDonalds’ with its ‘golden arches’ logo are examples of world-famous trade marks. So long as your business’ sign serves to indicate to consumers where the goods […]
BRANDING LAWS PACKAGED AND GIFT-WRAPPED
Sharon Givoni Consulting Intellectual Property, Packaging, Protecting ideas, Trade marks
Only a century ago, the attraction of consumer products was in their practical application. Soap, for example, was originally packaged in anonymous greyish bars and purchased by consumers purely for its cleaning attributes. Now, soap promises so much more – it exfoliates and softens, refreshes and revitalises (Norsca), doubles up as a “beauty aid” (Dove) […]
Close your eyes, and give me the coke bottle
Sharon Givoni Consulting Consumer Law, Food Law, Intellectual Property, Packaging, Protecting ideas, Trade marks
How to avoid legal issues when it comes to packaging Attention all packaging designers, this is for you. Before you launch your new product with shiny new packaging, it is important to consider whether you could be infringing someone else’s trade mark rights, engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct or passing off. In Australia, aspects […]
Use it or lose it – what happens if you do not use your Trade Mark?
Sharon Givoni Consulting Consumer Law, Intellectual Property, Packaging, Retail and fashion Law, Trade marks
If you are a small business and looking to restructure, this article is a must-read to ensure you do not inadvertently put your trade marks at risk. Key points: Even if you have a registered trade mark this may not be fool proof A registered trade mark can be potentially removed by a third party, […]
Granola
Sharon Givoni Consulting Food Law, Intellectual Property, Trade marks
Ordinary language or protected trade mark – are you doing the right thing? There is a famous quote that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. True as that might be – this is the last thing you want when it comes to your own brand. We use phrases all the time and don’t think […]
Branding law: Milked to the Max
Sharon Givoni Consulting Food Law, Trade marks
Long gone are the good old days where milk is delivered by horse and cart in unbranded foil top bottles. Today we have brands – and lots of them. Given that brands are the main differentiating feature of fast moving, low involvement products such as food, this article looks at how best to legally protect […]
Protecting textile patterns and designs
Sharon Givoni Consulting Arts and design, Copyright, Retail and fashion Law, Trade marks
If you design or manufacture patterned textiles or fabrics, you need to be careful not to copy other people’s textile designs and find yourself entangled in legal issues. This article talks about copyright and trade mark protection of patterns, trade marks and designs in textiles (including David Jones, Louis Vuitton and Levis). Read more… Note […]
Brand protection for designers
Sharon Givoni Consulting Retail and fashion Law, Trade marks
While imitation may well be the greatest form of flattery it is certainly not much fun when it is your garment or brand name that is copied by others. In this article Sharon Givoni covers what makes a strong trade mark from a trade marks perspective, some considerations if you expanding your fashion label internationally […]
Food&Drink Business Magazine – Courts Deny Nestle
Sharon Givoni Consulting Food Law, Trade marks
This article looks at the way Nestle tried to register its four bar chocolate shape as a trade mark and what the trade mark office said when Aldi (which produces its own two bar wafer chocolate called Time Out). Read more…
Food&Drink Business Magazine – Can you replicate overseas products
Sharon Givoni Consulting Packaging, Trade marks
Many clients ask if they can just simply copy a product and brand from overseas. The answer is not clear cut and depends on the facts including if the overseas mark has been used in Australia as a trade mark. Read more…