New unfair contract term laws in Australia introduce large financial penalties
Significant changes to the unfair contract term provisions in the Australian Consumer Law, including potential financial penalties, will soon apply.
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#InfluencersAreOnNotice: ACCC’s ‘Crackdown’ on (Mis)Influencing Consumers
Significant changes to the unfair contract term provisions in the Australian Consumer Law, including potential financial penalties, will soon apply.
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Griffith Hack, Derek Baigent recognised in The Legal 500 guide for 2023
Griffith Hack principal Derek Baigent has been recognised as one of Australia’s leaders in intellectual property in The Legal 500 Australia guide for 2023.
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Overseas Trade Mark Update – December 2022
Nicola Scheepers and Jacqueline Simpkin address new developments for attorneys registering trade marks in the United States and the United Kingdom.
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Griffith Hack elevates three team members in latest round of promotions
Griffith Hack is proud to announce the promotion of three team members, including the elevation of patent attorney Edith Hamilton to principal.
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Early national phase entry & expedited examination requests: What’s possible in Australia?
Robyn Heard and Dr Sophie Rankenburg provide answers to commonly asked questions about early national phase entry in Australia, and the options available for expedited examination requests.
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Extension of time: Australian law requirements and practice tips
Malcolm Lyons and Craig Don Paul discuss Australia’s Extension of Time rules, which can remedy an error or omission by a patent applicant or their agent.
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Griffith Hack, Derek Baigent recognised in Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2023
Griffith Hack has been recognised in the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2023, receiving both firm and individual rankings for Intellectual Property.
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Sean Kelley to present at World Renewable Energy Congress in Perth
Sean Kelley will join the speaker line-up at the 2022 World Renewable Energy Congress, hosted by Murdoch University in Perth from 4-9 December.
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Full Court correct in deciding that only humans can invent
High Court confirms that an artificial intelligence system can not be named as an inventor of a patent.
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Griffith Hack’s Edith Hamilton joins speaker line-up at IPBC Australasia 2022
Griffith Hack will have a strong presence at IPBC Australasia 2022 with special counsel Edith Hamilton joining the event’s line-up of speakers.
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Are you patent ready? IP guidance for life sciences researchers
Whether you are an academic or industry-based researcher, the question is the same: when is the right time to file a patent application?
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Making your mark: Protect your product with patent marking
We explore the concept of patent marking, the real meaning of patent pending, and when you as an inventor or product owner should mark your product.
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Griffith Hack sponsors Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Down Under Conference 2022
Griffith Hack is proud to sponsor the 2022 edition of the Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Down Under Conference.
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The show must not go on: copyright infringement halts unauthorised production of Hamilton
The halting of an unauthorised production of the hit musical Hamilton by a Texas-based church has highlighted the risks involved in copyright infringement – as well the infringement of moral rights.
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Don’t lose your IP rights through company deregistration
Gavin Adkins and Emma Mitchell explain why it is so important to transfer the ownership of a company’s IP rights before deregistration.
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Major changes to unfair contract term laws in Australia are still in play
Draft legislation to strengthen the existing unfair contract term protections in the Australian Consumer Law was recently released.
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Soft decision on computer-implemented inventions
Dr Simone Shu-Yen Lee and Tom Hamilton-Gilligan provide early insights into the High Court’s decision of Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited v Commissioner of Patents [2020] FCA 778 (5 June 2020).
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Karen Sinclair talks synthetic biology on the From Idea to Intellectual Property podcast
Karen Sinclair joins host Lisa Leong on the From Idea to Intellectual Property podcast series to discuss the emerging trends and key issues in the area of synthetic biology.
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Vale Tony Ward
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tony Ward – a past principal and chairman of Griffith Hack, inspiring colleague, and valued friend.
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Griffith Hack announces the promotion of five team members
Griffith Hack is proud to announce the promotion of five members of our team, including the elevation of Jennifer Wyndham-Wheeler to principal.
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Spotlight Series: Regenerative Medicine – Part 2
Welcome to the second article of our Spotlight Series on one of the most exciting frontiers of scientific research and innovation, regenerative medicine.
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Kellie Stonier, Gavin Adkins recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2022
Griffith Hack has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide 2022 across multiple categories, with principals Kellie Stonier and Gavin Adkins receiving individual accolades.
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Amanda Stark, Janelle Borham named Patent Stars for 2022 by Managing IP
Griffith Hack principals Amanda Stark and Janelle Borham have been named as Patent Stars in the IP STARS 2022 rankings by Managing IP.
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Griffith Hack lawyers named in Best Lawyers Australia 2023 guide
Griffith Hack is proud to announce that three members of our Law team have been named in the Best Lawyers Australia guide for 2023.
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Griffith Hack celebrates World IP Day 2022
World Intellectual Property Day is being celebrated across the globe today, with this year’s theme shining a spotlight on IP and youth and how we can innovate for a better future.
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Griffith Hack attending INTA 2022 in Washington D.C.
Griffith Hack will be attending INTA 2022 in Washington D.C from 30 April – 4 May.
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Reversal of fortune – Full Court decides that an artificial intelligence is not an “inventor”
Anthony Selleck reviews the decision in Commissioner of Patents v Thaler [2022] FCAFC 62 which reverses an earlier ruling that artificial intelligence can be an “inventor” for the purposes of the Australian Patents Act 1990.
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AI and Digital Capability Centre Grants: What you need to know before applying
Applications are now open for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Capability Centre Grants of up to $11 million. Here’s what you need to know before applying.
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Changes to how influencers can promote therapeutic goods in Australia
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has set out new guidelines that govern how influencers can promote products on social media in return for payment or free products or services from brands.
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Federal Budget 2022: What’s in it to accelerate Australia’s innovation agenda?
We discuss the key measures in Australia’s 2022-23 federal budget that could help drive innovation, research commercialisation and business growth.
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The mother of all trade mark fights: Energy Beverages knocked out of the coffee arena
A series of trade marks disputes over coffee products provides important learnings for businesses looking to register trade marks for consumer goods and services.
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.au domain name extension launches: what you need to know
From 24 March 2022 it will be possible to register domain names with .au as the extension.
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Changes to Australian Registered Designs: what you need to know
Changes to Australia’s Designs Act 2003 came into effect in early March 2022 – so what do designers need to be aware of?
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From idea to inception and beyond: Important learnings from female biotech founders
Female biotech founders took centre-stage at AusBiotech 2021 with the leaders of some of Australia’s most innovative start-ups coming together to discuss their experiences in the commercial scientific world.
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Griffith Hack recognised in WTR 1000 rankings for 2022
Griffith Hack has been ranked in the Silver category for Trade Mark Prosecution and in Bronze for Enforcement and Litigation in the WTR 1000 rankings.
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Saving grace: Options if you disclose your invention without a patent application
Publicly disclosing new technology before a patent application has been filed can jeopardise patent coverage – but there are options available to you in the event of disclosure.
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Griffith Hack to take the stage at Melbourne Design Week 2022
Griffith Hack will be hosting two online events as part of Melbourne Design Week 2022.
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Virus filtration patent gets clean bill of health
In a recent decision of the Australian Patent Office, a patent application directed to a membrane for filtering biological products was upheld following opposition.
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Jacqui Thomas, Daniel Hsieh register as patent attorneys in Australia and New Zealand
Griffith Hack is pleased to announce that Jacqui Thomas and Daniel Hsieh are now registered patent attorneys in Australia and New Zealand.
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Awkward first dates:
How is patent term extension calculated when a patent covers more than one pharmaceutical substance with regulatory approval?
Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft [2022] APO
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Extending the 12-month grace period for filing patent applications – what you need to know
Can the 12-month grace period for filing your patent application be extended? Yes, it can – but subject to the facts.
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Derek Baigent, Griffith Hack team recognised in The Legal 500 rankings for 2022
Griffith Hack principal Derek Baigent has been recognised as one of Australia’s leaders in intellectual property in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific guide for 2022.
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Ben Dziekan wins IPTA’s prestigious Edward Waters Prize for 2021
Melbourne-based patent attorney Ben Dziekan has been named co-winner of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia’s prestigious Edwards Waters Prize for 2021.
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The CleanTech Industry in Victoria and Australia: Download our report
Insights on the funding that sectors including renewable energy, recycling, biofuels and green chemistry receive in Victoria and Australia.
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Your Australian patent application has been opposed – what next?
Australia’s pre‑grant opposition proceedings are playing a more significant role in the strategies of patentees and challengers. So what should a patent owner do when faced with an opposition in Australia?
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Why are embryonic stem cells not able to be patented in Australia?
Despite not being specifically excluded under s18 of the Australian Patents Act, technology utilising embryonic stem cells is not able to be patented in Australia. Why is this so?
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Recent progress in psychedelic therapies
With increasing awareness of the prevalence of mental ill-health in society, we analyse promising psychedelic therapies that have not yet entered mainstream.
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Spotlight Series: Regenerative Medicine – Part 1
The first in a five-part series on one of the most exciting frontiers of scientific research and innovation, regenerative medicine.
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Innovation patents: options for challenging problematic cases
What are your options if you identify an innovation patent that affects your freedom to operate?
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Amanda Stark wins Lexology Client Choice Award for IP Patent Attorneys
Amanda Stark has received the Client Choice Award for patent attorneys and IP agents at the 2021 Lexology Client Choice Awards.
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Design law reform: Australia agrees in principle to join Hague Agreement on Industrial Designs
Australia has agreed to join the Hague Agreement on Industrial Designs, so what does this mean for Australian designers.
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It’s happening: Designs law changes to take effect in Australia
The Designs Amendment Bill 2020 has passed through Parliament ushering in a wave of reform in Australia.
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Patent drafting conventions fall foul of Australian Courts
In a recent opposition appeal decision of the Federal Court of Australia, an Australian patent application by Nalco Company was found invalid for lack of support and lack of clear enough and complete enough disclosure.
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Revisiting how early is earliest? Further developments in Australian patent term extension law
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v Sandoz Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 947
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Expert evidence keeps RAFT buoyant in strawman patent opposition
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) v Cytec Industries Inc. [2021] APO 27
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A comeback for Australian patent oppositions
With Australia’s innovation patent system set to end later this month, pre-grant opposition proceedings will likely play a significant role in the strategies of challengers.
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Draft roadmap for Australian regenerative medicine released for comment
AusBiotech has released a draft strategic roadmap for a new regenerative medicine Catalyst.
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Guidance on patenting diagnostics in Australia: Ariosa Diagnostics v Sequenom
Federal Court confirms that a non-invasive diagnostic test for prenatal conditions is patentable subject matter in Australia.
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How the proposed patent box scheme could benefit Australian industry
Principal Karen Sinclair discusses the Australian Government’s proposed patent box scheme and what needs to be considered to ensure successful implementation.
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Griffith Hack maintains top tier status in IP STARS 2021 rankings
Griffith Hack has maintained its status as an industry leader in patent prosecution, receiving tier one status in the IP Stars 2021 rankings. Principals Janelle Borham and Amanda Stark were both recognised individually as Patent Stars.
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How early is earliest? Developments in Australian patent term extension law
Malcolm Lyons looks at the decision in Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd v Commissioner of Patents which has provided long needed clarity on requests for patent term extension.
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Griffith Hack’s Janelle Borham named president of IPTA
Janelle Borham has been named president of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia.
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The fine line between IP licence agreements and franchise agreements
Freedom Foods Pty Ltd v Blue Diamond Growers offers important lessons and guidance for all drafters of IP licence agreements.
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The end is near for Australia’s innovation patent system: What you need to know
Australia’s innovation patent system is ending soon, but, there’s still time to take advantage of the system – you just need to act soon.
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Australia’s Federal Budget 2021: Key takeaways and opportunities
Investment in tech, research and innovation highlights value of IP protection
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UPDATE: Confidentiality notices at the end of emails are not (completely) pointless
Nearly three years ago, we reported on a decision of the Australian Designs Office that suggested that the automatically generated ‘Confidentiality Notice’ in the footer to your email may not always be effective.
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The rise of trade secret protections internationally and what it might mean for Australia
There have been several significant developments internationally in trade secret protections in recent years that have arguably increased the risks of misappropriation of trade secrets.
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Australian domain name rule change for trade mark owners
New rules governing the eligibility of registering .au domain names come into effect soon, affecting domain name holders who rely on an Australian trade mark to hold a .au domain name.
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Griffith Hack principals recognised as WIPR Leaders 2021
Seven Griffith Hack principals have been individually recognised in this years’ World Intellectual Property Review Leaders Guide.
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Positioning with purpose: A Managing Director’s journey from ‘ground’ to ‘growth’
In a candid conversation with Griffith Hack’s Karen Sinclair during AusBiotech’s 2020 INVEST conference, Paul Brennan speaks about PolyNovo’s rise to prominence.
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Griffith Hack partners with Young People in Nursing Homes National Alliance
Griffith Hack is proud to offer Intellectual property services to the Young People in Nursing Homes National Alliance.
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Wine export label directory a win for Australian wine brand owners
A new wine export label directory to help Australian wine producers protect their intellectual property rights is expected to commence in April 2021.
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Griffith Hack announces new principal appointments
Griffith Hack is proud to formally announce the elevation of two high-achievers to the position of Principal.
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What are the rules around software patents?
Software and patents have always had a difficult relationship with different rules in different jurisdictions creating uncertainty for innovators wanting to know if their key innovations can be secured or whether the market is a free-for-all against competitors.
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Australian government rediscovers R&D value amid COVID-19 crisis
With two quarters of consecutive GDP contraction due to coronavirus-related shutdowns, Australia is now poised to face economic challenges not experienced since 1991.
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Griffith Hack professionals recognised as MIP Rising Stars
Griffith Hack is thrilled to celebrate the inclusion of several individuals in Managing Intellectual Property’s Rising Star Awards.
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Thirteen – unlucky for some: Support and sufficiency in Australia following MSD v Wyeth
The MSD v Wyeth judgment demonstrates the more exacting standard now required for the level of disclosure in patent specifications. It also cements the shift in Australia towards alignment with UK and European requirements.
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David Hughes wins 2020 Lawyers Weekly Intellectual Property Partner of the Year
Pincipal David Hughes has been recognised as the Intellectual Property Partner of the Year at the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Awards.
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Designs: It’s all in the bag
Creative industries like design and fashion are built on intellectual property, so making informed decisions about IP early-on maximises commercial opportunities and helps drive a proactive strategy.
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Ono: Broader is not always better
Why is patent term extension is so important to companies developing and commercialising new pharmaceutical substances?
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PBR milestone: 10,000th application
IP Australia announced yesterday that the 10,000th application for plant breeder’s rights (PBR) has been filed in Australia.
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Protecting your digital health
Track and trace smartphone applications used in the fight against COVID 19 are representative of a relatively new industry falling between the healthcare, IT, medical devices and pharmaceutical sector.
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Owning COVID-19: Would if you could?
f the Earth’s biome, viruses are part of its biodiversity, but has consideration been given as to whether anyone can ‘own’ or should benefit from COVID-19?
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Iron Chef cooks-up trade mark opposition
Griffith Hack trade mark specialists are serving up their thoughts on recent food and beverage trade mark disputes.
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IP Australia fee changes commencing 1 October 2020
IP Australia is set to implement changes to its schedule of fees, with most of the changes taking effect from 1 October 2020.
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Principal David Hughes recognised in IAM’s Strategy 300 2020
Principal David Hughes has received recognition as one of the World’s Leading IP Strategists in this year’s IAM 300.
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Certification Trade Marks: the buzz and battle over ‘Mānuka’ honey
Given the increasing popularity, demand and associated price tag of Mānuka honey, it is unsurprising that New Zealand’s Mānuka honey industry is fiercely protective of the commodity.
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Unproven hypotheses in clinical trials can be novelty-destroying
We review the decision in Mylan Health Pty Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd which may have far-reaching implications for pharmaceutical patent holders or applicants in Australia.
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Special tweetment: Who owns the IP for social media content?
Social media content creators rarely consider the rights they maintain over uploaded content – we take a look at what they need to know.
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Griffith Hack announces the elevation of five team members
Griffith Hack is thrilled to formally announce the elevation of five high-performing team members effective as of July 1, 2020.
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Melbourne Accelerator Program gives founders velocity boost
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Griffith Hack recognised in IAM Patent 1000
Griffith Hack has once again been recognised at both the firm and individual practitioner level in IAM’s Patent 1000.
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Pharmacoeconomics and patent practice in Australia
While Australia remains an attractive destination for patentees, a careful patent strategy is required to negotiate its complex regulatory, demographic and socioeconomic environment.
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Sanofi avoid $325M damages claim by Australia’s Commonwealth Government
In a significant decision for the pharmaceutical industry, Justice Nicholas dismissed the Commonwealth of Australia’s compensation claim from Sanofi.
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Kellie Stonier named among leading IP Lawyers in Queensland
Kellie Stonier has been recognised as a leading lawyer for the 4th consecutive year by Doyle’s Guide 2020.
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Griffith Hack recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2020
Griffith Hack has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide 2020 in both firm and individual categories, with Derek Baigent and Kellie Stonier honoured.
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Griffith Hack recognised in World Trademark Review’s 1000 Guide
Griffith Hack has been recognised in World Trademark Review’s 1000 guide for trade mark prosecution and strategy.
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Griffith Hack announces the elevation of two team members to principal
Griffith Hack is thrilled to formally announce the elevation of Gavin Adkins and Robyn Heard to principal.
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Griffith Hack ranked in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 Guide
The recently released Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide for 2020 reconfirms Griffith Hack’s position as Australia’s highest ranked specialist IP firm.
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Dior and the protection of Indigenous Knowledge in Australia’s IP system
We discuss some of the issues surrounding interactions between Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual Property systems.
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Trade mark protection shake up for Myanmar
A new legal framework in Myanmar has been announced for trade mark registration and protection, impacting upon both foreign and domestic trade mark owners.
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Watermark to integrate into Griffith Hack to create one combined Australian IP firm
We are pleased to announce that, from April 2020, Australian IP services business, Watermark, will integrate into Griffith Hack to create one combined firm operating under the Griffith Hack brand.
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Simple steps to better IP portfolio management
Continuous portfolio management is a crucial plank of best practice intellectual asset management.
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Sponsorship deals: Risks and rewards
When things go well, sponsorships and endorsements can be mutually beneficial, and the names go hand-in-hand. But it’s not all smooth sailing, as associating your brand with a celebrity, organisation or event can be a risky affair.
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CRISPR-Cas9 Update: Collision of Trends in IP and Life Sciences
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing may not just be the greatest scientific breakthrough of this century, but also provides many lessons on patenting life science technologies.
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