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Introducing Emily Gao
Introducing Emily GaoFeatured

Introducing Emily Gao

Introducing Emily Gao We are delighted to welcome Emily Gao to our team as a Trainee Patent Attorney. Emily will be working towards registration as a Patent and Trade Marks Attorney within our specialist ICT team. Emily is a PhD candidate…
September 4, 2025
Scandalous trade marks in Australia, the US and UK: bad taste, booze, and the limits of outrage
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Scandalous trade marks in Australia, the US and UK: bad taste, booze, and the limits of outrageFeatured

Scandalous trade marks in Australia, the US and UK: bad taste, booze, and the limits of outrage

When Pingers walked into the room (or more accurately, onto the Trade Marks Register), examiners at IP Australia immediately blushed. “Surely this is slang for MDMA, how scandalous!” But the Registrar wasn’t convinced. On 18 August 2025, the Delegate in Re Volstead Pty…
September 3, 2025
Space is challenging, IP protection doesn’t have to be.
Space is challenging, IP protection doesn’t have to be.Featured

Space is challenging, IP protection doesn’t have to be.

Space is a technically challenging environment to work in. Developing satellite components and deploying satellites involves high risk and massive investment in research and development activities to create robust systems that can remain operational for years in the punishing environment…
September 3, 2025
Use on goods is not use in retail: FanFirm v Fanatics and a cautionary tale in trade mark use
Use on goods is not use in retail: FanFirm v Fanatics and a cautionary tale in trade mark useFeatured

Use on goods is not use in retail: FanFirm v Fanatics and a cautionary tale in trade mark use

The Full Federal Court’s recent decision in FanFirm Pty Ltd v Fanatics, LLC FCAFC 87 highlights a crucial point of Australian trade mark law: use of a trade mark on goods is not the same as using it in relation…
July 11, 2025
Important and exciting changes at Madderns
Important and exciting changes at MaddernsFeatured

Important and exciting changes at Madderns

Congratulations to long-standing Partner Mark O’Donnell, who has taken on the role of Managing Partner from Jeff Holman. Jeff has led Madderns for the past four years, following two years as Deputy Managing Partner, overseeing a period of growth in…
July 1, 2025
Congratulations to Milena Dryza
Congratulations to Milena DryzaUncategorized

Congratulations to Milena Dryza

Congratulations to Milena Dryza (known to us all as Mel), who has been appointed as a Partner. This promotion recognises her substantial contribution to our life sciences team. Mel is a highly-valued member of our team, having joined Madderns in…
July 1, 2025