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Intellectual property

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Imitation? Sophie Corks’ two original works in pink hues and Adair’s canvas on the right. 

Sophie paints joyous scenes of her backyard. Then she saw her style for sale

The difference between inspiration and imitation is a legal grey area – and becoming increasingly hard to police.

  • Linda Morris

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The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at Pinkenba. Pic supplied by the Port of Brisbane.

Hopes sink for Brisbane International Cruise Terminal brand protection

The Port of Brisbane has failed in its attempt to protect its trademark for the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, despite it featuring prominently atop the $158 million facility for more than three years.

  • Cameron Atfield
A legal battle over payments for PepsiCo’s drink concentrates - and whether it included intellectual property - will have implications for taxes on US tech giants.

‘Dead end’ for ATO on big tech billions after Pepsi test case failure

The tax office has yet to concede defeat on a levy that drew the ire of US President Donald Trump despite a resounding courtroom loss this month.

  • Colin Kruger

Hey, Scott Farquhar, this is the future. Can I have a word?

Mr Farquhar, we’re interested in your views on fair use of other people’s property, and we’ve found an exciting new use for one of yours.

  • Malcolm Knox
The planned Logan Indoor Sports Centre, which will be a venue at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Olympic organisers win 2032 trademark battle with local council

The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee sought to protect a swathe of location-based trademarks, but one local council beat them to the punch.

  • Cameron Atfield
Tony Wagener in the Bally bowlo.

Humble suburban bowls club thwarts casino giant

A multibillion-dollar American casino company’s attempts to introduce its brand to Australia may have come unstuck, thanks to a small suburban bowls club.

  • Cameron Atfield
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The FLATOUTbear (right) and Aldi’s version (left), side by side.

Aldi duped Prue and Sarah’s sheepskin teddy bear. Their lawyer says it’s infringement

Most attempts to take on Aldi over copies have failed. But this Australian duo believes they may have found a way of tackling the supermarket giant.

  • Jessica Yun
Sydney’s Coogee Bay Hotel temporarily became In-N-Out Burger’s latest Australian location for six hours on Wednesday, with the cult American fast food brand yet to open a permanent location outside the United States.

People spent hours queueing, but In-N-Out’s Aussie pop-up is more about business than burgers

Wednesday’s takeover of a Sydney pub might have given you hope the cult US franchise is opening a store Down Under. It’s more likely to be a clever legal tactic than a sign of global expansion.

  • Bronte Gossling
The Brisbane Broncos’ logo submitted for trademark protection, alongside the current (left) and original (right) logos.

Brisbane Broncos sport fresh rebrand after 25 years

The Broncos appear set to adopt a new look, with an administrative move hinting at its first design shift in a quarter of a century.

  • Cameron Atfield

Who stole my recipe? Maehashi and Bellamy must realise they’re already cooked

Big tech has already stolen millions of samples of creative work to feed its AI bots. Copyright is all but dead. Can anyone stop this mass theft?

  • Malcolm Knox