IPHQ: when businesses can use your data (and when they can't)

In today’s digital world, personal information has become a commodity, and a valuable one for businesses. Your personal data can be used for a variety of purposes, helping businesses to know who to send their ads to, conducting risk assessments, and even detecting fraudulent activity.??

It’s not unusual though for consumers to feel uneasy about their personal data being commodified. They may feel this puts their data at risk, raising concerns about privacy, security and consent.??

Globally, privacy laws are in place to protect data and manage the level of risk involved in the use of personal data by businesses.

Consent is a crucial aspect of privacy law, and often a primary source of defense when it comes to protecting your personal data – think clicking ‘agree’ on a terms and conditions page. Generally, individuals must be informed of the purpose for which their data is being collected or used.??

Spruson & Ferguson IP litigation expert Mark Vincent and commercial lawyer Nadine Martino provide a detailed overview of the role of consent in collecting and using personal information, specifically under current laws in Australia and Europe.??

Two women, two teenage dreams, one name: What are the rules around patenting your name? Spruson & Ferguson Trade Mark Practitioner Candice Noring and Principal Daniel J Wilson unpack the interesting patent case of Katy Perry (global mega-pop star) vs Katie Perry (Australian fashion designer), a reminder of the importance of protecting your brand as early as possible.?

New Zealand copyright and artificial intelligence: Copyright is a legal right given to creators such as authors and artists – but what about when AI is involved? AJ Park Consultant Ken Moon discusses the benefits and risks for AI users when considering copyright law in New Zealand.??

Feeding the world, vertically: Climate change has presented significant challenges to typical understandings of farming and food production. AJ Park Principal Anton Blijlevens and Special Counsel Dr Eric Tong Yih LEE discuss how inventors are revolutionising farming to feed the world in the face of extreme weather conditions.??

LEXOLOGY: Getting the Deal Through: Griffith Hack ChemLife Practice Group Leader Amanda Stark and Principal Gavin Adkins have authored this year’s Australia and New Zealand Patents chapters of Lexology ’s Getting the Deal Through guide. The guide provides local insights into patent litigation and patent office procedures. A complimentary copy of both chapters is available upon request via [email protected].??

Canada?

Amends to the Patent Rules published in late June will see an increase in Canadian patent fees in 2024. Smart & Biggar's David Schwartz and Charlotte Dong break down this fee hike and how inventors should navigate these revisions.

New Zealand?

New Zealand and the United Kingdom have entered into a free trade agreement, which should provide New Zealand businesses significant opportunities to increase their presence in the UK. AJ Park’s Victoria Watts and Matt Currie explain what this means and next steps for NZ businesses.??

EMEA

The Gulf Cooperation Council economies (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain) represent one of the world’s fastest growing markets, and have seen an increase in patent filings. Spruson & Ferguson’s Dr David Hvasanov (王大卫) and Dr Gareth Dixon outline multiple strategies for filing in this region.??

What if your computer could tell how you’re feeling? IPH has launched the first episode of season 2 of IP podcast From Idea to Intellectual Property. This episode features Smart & Biggar Principal Alice Tseng , who discusses all things Emotion AI with host ?? Lisa Leong . ?

Smart & Biggar’s webinar series Canadian Trademarks: Protection Strategies for Global Brands is available in full to replay on their website. This series provides deep insight into trademark proceedings, examination and enforcement, an excellent watch for inventor filing trademarks in Canada.?

AJ Park

AJ Park has been recognised as a recommended New Zealand firm in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000, with thirteen practitioners ranked as recommended individuals.

Griffith Hack?

A number of Griffith Hack practitioners have been recognised as leading and recommended IP lawyers and rising stars in Doyle’s Guide for 2023. Griffith Hack has also ranked for IP law in Queensland.??

Griffith Hack has been recognised as a Gold firm for prosecution in the IAM Patent 1000 rankings, with eight practitioners ranking as recommended individuals.

Pizzeys

Pizzeys Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys has been recognised as a Bronze firm for prosecution in the IAM Patent 1000 rankings. Practitioners Dr Justin Sweetman and Andrew Lee have been ranked as recommended individuals.

Smart & Biggar?

Smart & Biggar has been recognised as “Canada Firm of the Year”, “Career Development North America Firm of the Year” and “Work-Life Balance North America Firm of the Year” at the Women in Business Law Americas Awards.

Over twenty Smart & Biggar practitioners have been recognised in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000 rankings. The firm has been recognised as a Gold ranked Canadian firm for prosecution and litigation.

Nineteen Smart & Biggar lawyers have been listed as industry leaders in this year's Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences.

Spruson & Ferguson

Over twenty Spruson & Ferguson practitioners have been recognised in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000 rankings. The firm has also received rankings for their Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore businesses, including Gold rankings for Australia and Singapore.

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