Intellectual Property
Trade marks
When you have worked hard to create a successful business, it’s important to make sure you protect its identity and brand. The best way to do this is to protect the unique elements of the brand which add to its recognition and success – name, logo, a tagline/slogan, colour or sound. Whitelaw McDonald can help you protect these assets by helping with trade mark registration. You can operate your business without registering trade marks, however, the registration is an important record which can help if you seek to enforce exclusive rights of your brand marks at any stage.
Our specialist team can help you with:
- trade mark registration in Australia and overseas
- renewing an Australian trade mark
- responding to a trade mark objection
- defending a trade mark infringement
- IP dispute resolution
- confidentiality agreements
- unauthorised use of your intellectual property
- commercial licensing and copyright.
Patents
The other form of intellectual property protection is patenting. This applies to creations and inventions of a suitable subject matter that are new, useful and inventive. A patent can cover a broad range of inventions, including:
- medical technology
- pharmaceuticals
- biotech
- organic chemistry
- civil engineering
- appliances
- mechanical devices.
By receiving a patent you will have:
- exclusive commercial rights – a monopoly in the market
- the freedom to license someone else to manufacture your invention
- the right to take legal action that stops others from manufacturing, using and/or selling your invention in Australia without your permission.
It is important that you do not disclose your creation or invention to the public before you file your patent application, as it will mean your patent is not considered ‘new’ and your application may fail. Our specialist team will guide you through the process and make sure you protect your hard work.
Get in touch today to discuss your business and its trade marks and/or patents, on (02) 4941 8999 (Newcastle) or (02) 4343 7000 (Central Coast) or Contact Us for an obligation-free consultation.