FAL IP Having helped commercialise the outcomes of research in Australia for the last twenty years, I find it opportune to reflect on the current lack of certainty regarding R&D funding that is so fundamental to the ongoing economic success and health of our nation. R&D investment, and the structures that underpin them, must be addressed as … Read more
One of Australia’s most respected innovation and commercialisation lawyers has been recognised at the 2015 International Law Office (ILO) and Lexology Client Choice Awards in London. Jenni Lightowlers, Partner at Francis Abourizk Lightowlers (FAL) and Deputy Chancellor of Deakin University, was recognised for providing outstanding client service in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector in Australia. The … Read more
Apple has lost an appeal to the Australian Federal Court to register its “APP STORE” trade mark in Australia because its trade mark is unable to distinguish its goods and services. Apple filed a trade mark for the words “APP STORE” on 18 July 2008 and it received an objection based on the existence of … Read more
Businesses should check to ensure that they have the right tools in place to capture valuable intellectual property (IP) benefits created by their employees and in collaborations with third parties. Following are the key guiding principles and some tips to consider: Dealing with Employees Guiding Principle: You automatically own any IP your employees create “in … Read more
Many not-for-profit organisations believe their brands do little to assist in projecting their products and services to the public. Often, people working in not-for-profits are motivated by a passion in a particular field such as art, humanities or research. It is easy for such people to forget that a strong brand under which to market … Read more
Over the past few years, the term ‘fluid trade marks’ has been appearing more and more in relation to business on the internet and in the commercial space generally. Assumptions have been made as to what ‘fluid’ means and the implications associated with this type of trade mark. In a nutshell, as the name suggests, … Read more
