Intellectual Property encompasses a broad variety of legal rights relating to creative and non-tangible output. The most common types of intellectual property include:
Trade Marks
These includes any name, logo, tagline or other sign used to differentiate your products or services from other traders. Trade Mark rights are based on first use but should also be secured through registration through a qualified Trade Marks Attorney.
Copyright
This can encompass any literary or artistic work you create, such as books, music, videos, photographs, even source code! Copyright does not require registration in Australia, however some other countries (such as the USA) do have copyright registration systems.
Designs
Encompasses the look of a particular product, such as furniture, vehicles or fashion items. Designs must be registered in order to be afforded protection.
Patents
These protect the functionality of an invention or process. Patents must also be registered to be enforceable and should be prepared by a qualified Patent Attorney.
Protection of IP is a complex area and should be managed by an experienced IP lawyer or attorney. In many cases, IP rights can be self filed, however, without a considered filing strategy in place, this can result in unregistrable or ultimately unenforceable applications being lodged. Government fees for filing trade marks, designs and patents are not generally refundable if the application is unsuccessful.
When assessing your trade mark application, there are two main hurdles which may prevent registration:
Whether your trade mark is directly descriptive of your goods and services. In other words, if your trade mark simply describes some feature or characteristic of your product or service (eg. AFFORDABLE ACCOUNTING or LUXURY APPAREL) it is likely to receive ground of objection initially. These types of trade mark may however be registered in the long term once sufficient brand reputation has been established. For these types of marks, we can develop long term filing strategies to achieve registration once the trade mark has achieved enough market recognition.
Similarity of the mark with other registered or pending trade marks. Grounds for rejection can be raised if your trade mark is too similar to another (not necessarily identical) and covers the same, similar or closely related goods or services. If similar marks are identified, there may be strategies available to get around those citations, which a qualified Trade Marks Attorney will be able to identify.
There is no universal trade mark which covers every jurisdiction. Rather trade mark rights must be acquired country by country. Most countries are covered by the Madrid Protocol international registration system which allows domestic trade mark registration to be extended to other countries through a streamlined application process. This is often a more economical way to extend the reach of your trade marks to multiple countries at the same time. Otherwise, direct applications to individual countries can also be made. We can assist with both those filing options.
No. A business or company name provides you with a vehicle to trade under but it does not provide any protection or entitlement to use the name in connection with provision of any good or service. Separate trade mark registration is required to secure those rights.
Don’t panic! Receiving an infringement letter can be scary, however you should not take any action or respond to a letter without first seeking your own independent legal advice. If a tight deadline for compliance has been set, it is OK to seek further time to obtain proper legal advice if needed, and there are costs consequences for litigants or practitioners who launch proceedings too quickly without giving the other side enough opportunity to be appraised of their rights.
If you have received a letter, you should contact us immediately and we would be happy to set out a plan of attack for addressing the dispute as well as fixed costs to implement any recommended actions.
Our philosophy is that confidence should be earned, not assumed. For that reason, we don’t charge for initial consultations, initial strategy preparation or for ongoing consultations and follow ups with you. We will take the time to learn about you and your business before we put together a tailored strategy suited to your situation. All our professional fees are fixed price and agreed with you upfront to avoid any billing surprises. We also have a range of fixed cost trade mark protection packages for your consideration.
Scheduling a consultation with one of our lawyers is easy. Simply visit YIP Legal’s website and navigate to the “Contact” page. There, you’ll find our contact information, including our phone number and email address. Reach out to us, and our friendly staff will assist you in scheduling a convenient time for your consultation.
The cost of our legal services varies depending on the complexity of the case and the specific services required. We understand that legal costs can be a concern, so we strive to offer transparent and competitive pricing. During your initial consultation, our lawyer will discuss the fees associated with your case and provide you with a clear understanding of the cost involved.
Our lawyers are dedicated professionals who stay updated with the latest legal developments and are committed to providing you with expert advice and representation. We have a proven track record of success in handling various legal matters, and our clients’ trust and satisfaction are of utmost importance to us.
While our office is based in Melbourne, we have the capability to handle matters for clients across Australia. We have experience representing clients in all States and can effectively manage cases regardless of geographical boundaries. If you have a legal matter outside of our local area, please reach out to us, and we’ll determine the best way to assist you.
Yes, our team at YIP Legal understands that legal issues can arise at any time. That’s why we offer flexible service hours to accommodate our clients’ needs. While our regular business hours are from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, we can arrange appointments outside of these hours upon request.
What sets us apart is our commitment to building strong relationships with our clients based on trust, open communication, and empathy. YIP Legal takes the time to understand your unique needs and goals, tailoring our legal strategies accordingly. Our team of dedicated lawyers combines legal expertise with a practical approach, striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Contact YIP Legal Today
If you’re facing a Copyright infringement case, YIP Legal can provide the support you need and guide the issue to it’s best possible resolution. We offer fixed fee and flexible pricing options to meet your needs. For more information on our services, contact us today. Call now on 03 8371 0012 to book a consultation with our lead IP lawyer Andrew Petale.
To discuss your needs with a qualified intellectual property lawyer, book a meeting today. Our experienced IP lawyer in Melbourne can quickly get to the heart of your issue. We can provide you with the information, guidance and options you need to make an informed decision before you choose to engage us.
YIP Legal is a Melbourne-based specialist intellectual property law firm specialising in registration, protection and enforcement of Trade Marks, Designs, Copyright, Domain name disputes, Consumer law and IP dispute resolution.
