Madderns

The Kentucky Derby is one of the best-known horse races in the world and thanks to our client, Steriline Racing, the annual event got off to a perfect start earlier this month.

Steriline specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of starting gates, exporting to more than 50 countries.

Steriline recently designed, manufactured and supplied a new starting gate for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky, USA – which is now another jewel in Steriline’s crown.

For the 146^th consecutive time, the horses lined up in Steriline’s gates for the annual event on September 5, despite no crowds being allowed at an event renown internationally for its colour and excitement.

Authentic took the rose garland, with Tiz the Law runner-up, but the glory for South Australian-based manufacturer Steriline Racing was the pride that no-one took notice of the uneventful start to the race, which was entirely due to the world standard starting gate designed and manufactured in Mt Barker.

Steriline Managing Director John Fargher was pleased to have been approached by the Kentucky Derby organisers to provide equipment and become involved in this very popular event.

“This is the first time we’ve been involved in the Kentucky Derby and being asked to provide a custom gate was a highlight for Steriline Racing, and we really value being involved in some of the world’s greatest racing events,” Mr Fargher said.

Madderns helps Steriline with its patents and trade marks, with gates also used at Royal Ascot (England), Sha Tin (Hong Kong Jockey Club), Flemington (Victoria) and many other international destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

“Madderns is always on hand to answer questions and respond to our needs, and they provide us with IP updates when they come to hand. We value our involvement with the team,” Mr Fargher added.

The team at Madderns congratulate Steriline Racing for being a world-leader in its field.

Photo credit to Churchill Downs Inc.

It’s not every day that you find a gold nugget in a paddock – or even two.

Using highly-sophisticated Minelab metal detectors, prospectors Poseidon recently unearthed two gold nuggets worth a combined $350,000.

Using the Minelab GPX 5000 detectors, the prospectors had been searching land which was used for gold mining more than a century ago.

The double unearthing followed a 2.6kg find valued at $400,000, by detectors in Asia using the GPZ 7000.

Unfortunately we cannot share any details of the locations of the Asian find or the Australian finds, as prospectors tend to keep the locations as closely guarded secrets for obvious reasons!

Madderns has been working with Minelab to protect its patents, designs and trade marks including the high technology smarts in its metal detectors, which detect the smallest and deepest finds.

“Working with the greatest minds in metal detection is in itself rewarding, but reading the incredible results of prospecting using Minelab’s products just put a smile on my face,” Madderns Attorney Kin Leong said.

Madderns is pleased to see Minelab hitting the mark – literally – with its metal detectors, demonstrating their ability to find precious metals.

To watch the Australian finds as they happened, which recently featured on Discovery Channel’s Aussie Gold Hunters, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLVw-k4P7Lo&feature=youtu.be

In early August, metal detectorist Luke Mahoney also discovered more than 1,000 silver coins on land belonging to The Lindsey Rose pub in Lindsey, Suffolk, using a Minelab metal detector. The hoard is thought to be worth at least £100,000 ($181,240 AUD). Read more here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-suffolk-53635413

Can you help the Federal Government solve challenges which relate to agriculture, energy and fishing? Funding is available as part of the government’s $12 million fund for eligible Australian start-ups and SMEs to bring their big ideas to market under its Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII).

BRII is looking for solutions to the following problems:

1. Revolutionising agricultural spray applications;
2. Turning farm crops into a renewable hydrogen source;
3. Turning office trash into “energy treasure”; and
4. Counting fish using advanced technologies.

The BRII application process involves three phases.

First, if accepted for feasibility, an eligible applicant can receive up to $100,000 to demonstrate that their solution can work.

Second, if a feasibility study is accepted, up to $1 million is available to create a proof of concept.

Successful applicants will then have the chance to work closely with sector experts and government to create a product that could be commercialised.

Applicants retain intellectual property rights and the right to sell their product in domestic and global markets.

Applications close 10 September 2020.

To find out more, click here: https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Business-Research-and-Innovation-Initiative

Having left the European Union, the UK is now in a transition period which is scheduled to end on 31 December 2020.

What does this mean for European Union trade marks registered prior to 31 December 2020?

After the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, European Union (EU) trade mark registrations will no longer extend to the UK; however, all existing EU registrations will be automatically cloned by the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom into equivalent UK registrations. The cloned UK registration will retain the same filing and registration details as the original EU registration, as well as any priority and seniority claims. This will ensure that the trade mark registrations will continue to be protected in the UK.

What does this mean for European Union trade mark applications that remain pending after 31 December 2020?

EU trade mark applications that remain pending after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020 will cease to have effect in the UK and will not be automatically cloned into an equivalent UK application.

Action will therefore need to be taken by the trade mark applicant to formally re-file a UK trade mark application. The UK application will need to be re-filed within nine months after 31 December 2020 in order to retain the same filing date as the original EU application.

If you have any questions in regards to what the “Brexit” means for your business and your EU trade marks, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss in further detail.

The South Australian Productivity Commission has released an issues paper on Health and Medical Research and Development as part of an inquiry into its impacts on the state’s economy.

Many of our clients are heavily focused on research and development, and we play a role in protecting their interests in South Australia, nationally and overseas.

At the Productivity Commission’s request, Madderns provided assistance on the intellectual property aspects of the inquiry. The discussions related to the trends in research and development and the factors that influence the extent to which it contributes to long term productivity gains and economic growth in South Australia.

The commission has released an issues paper and submissions and responses have now closed. The SAPC is due to publish its draft report shortly.

Further information can be found at https://www.sapc.sa.gov.au/inquiries/inquiries/health-and-medical-research.