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In Germany, freedom of speech is a right enshrined by article 5 of the Constitution. Despite this, the NetzDG law, which took effect on 1 January 2018, requires social media sites operating throughout the country to remove hate speech and fake news within 24 hours of it being reported to the host platform. The law…

Ed Sheeran is once again in hot water following allegations by two Australian songwriters of “blatant[ly] copying” a popular song recorded by Australian country singer Jasmine Rae.   Sheeran, who co-wrote The Rest of Our Lives for renowned US country artists Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, is accused in a New York district court of…

The success of the New Zealand National Party’s 2014 election campaign may have been in part due to their music choice for a series of nationally-broadcasted advertisements. However, similarities between the National Party’s ad track and US rapper Eminem’s 2002 smash Lose Yourself did not go unnoticed by New Zealand’s High Court, it seems. On…

Last month’s AFL Grand Final was an unforgettable experience for many Richmond fans, including for our consultant, Paul, and administration manager, Alli.  However, it also prompted more complaints and questions about the practice of ticket scalping, which has ramifications for event organisers, performers and fans.   In March 2017, the Australian Senate passed a resolution…

Rival reptile showmen, trademarks and an unrepresented applicant make for an interesting case read.  In a recent decision by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, a self-represented wildlife demonstrator failed to attain an interlocutory injunction and was instead served with a cost order of nearly $3000. Between 2011 and 2014 Mr Hoser had been contracted…

With America’s biggest night in sport less than a week away from touching down, companies must be cautious to avoid using the words ‘Super Bowl’ in their advertising campaigns unless they have paid a hefty price.  Why you ask?  Well, the National Football League trademarked the term almost 50 years ago, back in 1969, and…

It’s the deal everyone is talking about. Comprising 40 per cent of the world’s economic output it was to be the biggest regional trade deal ever seen. However, it’s set to be no more following newly sworn in President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the deal. It’s easy to get lost in…

After being owned by a U.S company for nine decades, the trademarked name of ‘Vegemite’ will be returning home to Australia. In an “exciting evolution for the company”, Australia’s Bega Cheese executive chairman Barry Irvin announced last week that the company would obtain the global trade mark rights to Vegemite from Mondelez International as part…

We all know the important role a great website plays in the success of any business. Your website should be carefully planned to ensure it becomes a positive business tool and does not open your business up to any liability. This article aims to present the main issues surrounding copyright and your website.   Who…

A thoroughly embarrassed opera fan has apologised for scattering his friend’s ashes into the opera pit in New York.   The Met Theatre stopped the performance of Rossini’s Guillaume Tell after a group of musicians reported that a figure had been seen spreading a suspicious powder into the orchestra pit during second intermission.   Roger…