IPHQ: Fraud in Fashion – IP strategies to protect your work

As we move deeper into the digital age, we see continuous evolution in all fields including design. With this, theft has evolved beyond its traditional forms, and in the world of fashion, design theft is becoming an increasing problem.?

When a brand is starting out, developing in an IP strategy is an important part of establishing business plans, safeguarding and strengthening your brand. No matter how cautious you are there is always more you can do to protect your IP rights.??

“Relying solely on copyright protection may not be enough to enforce IP rights. This is where a registered design may offer a more suitable IP protection strategy.”?

Griffith Hack Principal Jenny Wyndham-Wheeler and Associate Dr Radhika Moore discuss best IP practices in Fashioning IP Protection and explain the differences between registered design and copyright.?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and everyday life, raising new challenges and opportunities in all spaces, including intellectual property. Griffith Hack EICT Practice Group Leader Georgina Higinbotham and Special Counsel Anthony Selleck discuss the effect AI is having on IP protection and the role that trade secrets play in their article.?

In the fourth installment of the Amplifying IP series, Griffith Hack Principal and Patent Attorney Robert Wulff continues his discussion on patent specification drafting focusing on the art of detailed description.?

Australia?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States passed the Non-Compete Clause Rule earlier this year, declaring that non-compete agreements constitute an unfair competitive practice. While the rule is currently on hold, many commentators in the US believe that these restraints will no longer be a tool to prevent former employees from competing. In a recent article, Griffith Hack Principal Karen Sinclair and Lawyer Ila L. discuss the impact this will have on businesses that rely on trade secrets as a competitive advantage in Australia.??

Following a substantial review into Australia’s registered design regime, IP Australia has proposed a raft of bold reforms that would protect virtual designs, along with changes to partial and incremental design protection. Spruson & Ferguson Principal Rodney Dabboussy and Patent Attorney Alejandro Vidal summarise the changes and the issues highlighted through IP Australia's public review process in this article.??

Highlighting an increasing trend of challenging patents during a patent term extension period, Spruson & Ferguson Principal Elizabeth Barrett and Associate James Beckett explore the recent Federal Court ruling in Novartis v Pharmacor case in this recent article. They discuss the background and the Court’s decision to invalidate the Novartis PTE.?

Canada?

Smart & Biggar Principal Brigide Mattar and Associate Audrey Berteau explore the Canadian Intellectual Property Offices (CIPO) Green Technologies Program, in a recent article, highlighting why it is a simple and cost-effective mechanism for fast tracking patent applications related to green technologies.?

On 17 July, the Canadian Patent Office launched MyCIPO Patents. Smart & Biggar Principal Charles Boulakia provides an overview of the new system, explaining its purpose and implications for patent applications, in his recent article.?

Tune in to season three episode four of IPH’s From Idea to Intellectual Property Podcast, Duped: Fakes, Frauds and IP Battles. ABC Radio’s ?? Lisa Leong is joined by AJ Park Principal and Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group Leader, Thomas Huthwaite alongside Kristin Carden Director of FernMark at New Zealand Story, the government agency responsible for protecting the New Zealand brand, and a client of AJ Park. The episode discusses the rise of dupes, and how trade mark owners are fighting back against sellers attempting to capitalise on their brands.?

Watch Smart & Biggar Trademarks Practice Group Leader and Principal Graham A. Hood and IP Lawyer Olivier Jean-Lévesque ’s webinar on global trademark filing. Here they discuss steps for conducting thorough clearance searches, insight into various filing systems, including national, regional and Madrid systems and strategies for managing your trademark rights globally.?

Smart & Biggar Principal Christian Bolduc , Senior Associate Stéphanie Girard and Associate Francesca Roy recently hosted a webinar addressing the French Charter requirements for trademarks appearing on products, considering the recently issued Quebec regulation and the OQLF's new guidelines. For more details, view the recording.??

On 4 December Smart & Biggar Principals Bhupinder Randhawa , Patrick Roszell , and Alice Tseng are presenting at a webinar which will explore the evolving AI landscape and how organisations can manage risk and leverage their AI assets and innovations. Register for the webinar to find out about commercial and IP issues for companies looking to leverage and monetise AI in their business.?

Recently, IPH Chief Commercial Officer Halina K. sat down with Will Eke , SVP of Sales at professional services marketing platform Passle to discuss the future of BD and marketing in the legal sector. Listen to the full podcast. ?

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