Parallel imports are about to become easier under new Australian legislation. Importers buy genuine trademarked items overseas, where they’re a lot cheaper. Then they resell them here at a profit, but below the usual retail prices.There’s good news. Consumer goods, including software, may become more reasonably priced here.There’s bad news. Clients may begin to see […]

So, what are the advantages of a trade mark? First, your trade mark is a business asset. You can sell or license it, which could potentially bring you an income stream even after you retire. You can also use it as a form of security. It will add to your business’s value if you eventually […]

What is a trade mark? This is the most common question asked by prospective clients. We could simply repeat the standard, complicated legal definition, But that probably won’t be especially helpful to you. Instead, let’s just provide a plain-English version that emphasises what a trade mark does. In short, a registered trade mark is a […]

Business names versus trade marks – aren’t they pretty much the same thing? No, not at all. Only a registered trade mark can prevent unauthorised use by others. Your business name registration may be a statutory requirement in Australia, but it confers no legally enforceable intellectual property right to use that name. In that respect, […]

When to apply for a trade mark? Before someone else beats you to it! Granted, in Australia the owner is the first person to use the trade mark. But in China, it’s the first person to register it. Other countries vary. That’s why it’s so important to get your trade mark sorted out early, and […]