As the old saying goes - “any publicity is good publicity”. Well in the case of American pop starlet Katy Perry this may not be true. Her lawyers opposed a trade mark application by Australian fashion designer Katie Perry for her name KATIE PERRY in relation to clothing.

Many of you may have seen the now iconic image of Sam the Koala being fed water by CFA Volunteer David Tree after the Black Saturday bushfires. The iconic image can be purchased here from the Herald Sun website with all proceeds going to the CFA. Now someone has applied to register as a trade mark the words “SAM THE KOALA” for numerous goods including chocolates, colouring books, DVD’s, toys and soft toys and for tourism, sightseeing and educational services.

A quick note that may be of interest to Actuate’s clients: Austrade has recently changed the Export Market Development Grant scheme (”EMDG“) so that eligible businesses can be reimbursed for certain IP-related expenses (including trade mark and patent attorney fees) in relation to overseas protection.