trade mark

Pinterest pins down Pintrips

Pinterest pins down Pintrips

18 October 2013
By Jessie Porteus
On 4 October 2013, social media pinboard site Pinterest filed an action in the United States District Court against Pintrips, “a personal travel planning dashboard”, for trade mark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition and trade mark dilution. This apparently followed months of polite requests from Pinterest to Pintrips to stop this alleged “illegal conduct”. Not all these causes of action are available in Australia, so this discussion will focus on the trade mark fight.
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Sexy but too similar? App developers “Bang-ed” up over trade mark dispute

Sexy but too similar? App developers “Bang-ed” up over trade mark dispute

20 August 2013
By Katie Dillon
What happens when you take three College aged guys, a few hours of spare time, Red Bull, vodka, and a smartphone? Why, a new “casual sex matchmaking app” called “Bang With Friends”! Unfortunately for our anonymous trio (yes, despite the “honesty” of the app they refuse to reveal their identities) the hangover may last a while. In late July 2013, Zynga, makers of apps like “Words With Friends” and the owners of the registered trade mark “WITH FRIENDS”, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court claiming “Bang With Friends” are “free riding on recognized and valuable intellectual property rights”.
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Adam Gilchrist hit for six by Twitter twin

Adam Gilchrist hit for six by Twitter twin

15 July 2013
By Daniella Phair
The Australian cricket team might have needed not one, but two Adam Gilchrist’s in its side for the first Ashes Test in England over the last week. However, the man himself is less than impressed after discovering he has a Twitter Twin.
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A lesson in sharing: Google’s new AdWords policy

A lesson in sharing: Google’s new AdWords policy

15 April 2013
By Daniella Phair
Google has recently updated its AdWords trade mark policy. From 23 April 2013, Google will no longer prevent advertisers from selecting another company’s registered trade mark for use as a keyword in Australia (and China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil). This change brings Google’s AdWords policy on trade marks in Australia into line with the rest of the world.
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