Hearings have begun for what is likely to be a protracted legal battle between the “Big Movie Studios” and not-so-small-fish in the local ISP pond, iiNet. A massive 34 plaintiff parties are accusing Australia’s third largest internet service provider of authorising copyright infringement.

Apple Inc has taken on Australian retail giant Woolworths in a battle of the heavy weights. As you will have no doubt seen, Woolworths introduced their new apple shaped “W” logo to coincide with their gradual phasing out of the Safeway brand.

In a follow-up to our earlier blog about Mary-Ann Martinek’s trade mark application for SAM THE KOALA and image (see here) - we can now report that the Victorian State Government has filed an opposition to those applications with IP Australia, the government body governing trade mark applications.

The Government now has 3 months in which to file evidence in support of its opposition. Once filed, Ms Martinek will have 3 months to file her own evidence. However these deadlines can be extended so we will keep you posted on any developments as they arise.

- Jack Dolphin

Read about Actuate IP’s trade mark dispute services.