Articles
Celebrity Endorsement – Navigating the Minefield
Sharon Givoni Consulting Retail and fashion Law
Using images, names or likenesses of the rich and famous for promotional purposes whether in fashion or otherwise, can undoubtedly create a powerful endorsement of your brand… as long as you’re aware of the risks and traps to avoid. This article looks at this issue taking into account the Rihanna t-shirt case that went to […]
Threading IP Law together for Beaders
Sharon Givoni Consulting Arts and design
Many creative people are making business out of their hobby. However, all sorts of business and legal considerations arise. These include trade marking the name of your brand, ensuing you own copyright in what you produce or others create for and not infringing other peoples’ rights. Read on for a hands on snapshot of dos […]
Australian Dairy Foods – A dairy brand by any other name …
Sharon Givoni Consulting Food Law
Many dairy brands in Australia incorporate people’s names or place names – think Pauls and Peters, Bega and Bulla. But food companies need to think twice before using a name for the first time as a brand as if it is trademarked you could be taking legal risks. Read on to navigate the name game […]
How to protect your movie and film titles
Sharon Givoni Consulting Entertainment Law
If you are in the entertainment industry, you would know how much effort it takes to think of a catchy title. Once you do, the last thing you want is for someone to copy it. This article provides you with a brief overview as to the best form of protection under Australian law including trade […]
Exaggerating the Truth or Misleading : A Legal Perspective
Sharon Givoni Consulting Consumer Law
This article was specifically written for the real estate industry and looks at terms such as “for illustration purposes only” and use of images that may be considered misleading … You may be surprised. Read more…
The Sensory Theatre of Food Retailing
Sharon Givoni Consulting Food Law
If you love chocolate then this article is for you. It considers how retail outlets such as the chocolate café Max Brenner and Koko Black allure consumers into their store with way more than chocolate. Sounds, smells and images all assist and some of these can also be protected as registered trade marks. Read more…
Cats do love the colour purple
Sharon Givoni Consulting Consumer Law
What do consumer’s think when they see a row of overwhelmingly purple packaging on the cat food section of supermarket shelves? According to the Federal Court, the answer is WHISKAS! You might want to register a colour trade mark yourself for retail use but the question is have you legally done what you need to […]
Good Enough to Eat
Sharon Givoni Consulting Photography
Food photography often makes food look delicious. But did you know they use motor oil and super glue to achieve those affects? Moreover there is also the question of to what extent the law allows you to meddle with food and present is as the “real thing”. Read more…
How far can you take creative claims?
Sharon Givoni Consulting Food Law
Praising your food products is one thing… but there can be a fine line between exaggeration and contravening the law. The old Trade Practices Act and new Competition and Consumer Act 2010 lay down very strict rules on what claims you can legally make. This article looks at real life case studies covering descriptors such […]
Making a case for accurate claims
Sharon Givoni Consulting Consumer Law
Food manufacturers are always trying to boast the health attributes of their products. The question is how far is too far? When does the law say its misleading? Companies such as Arnott’s, Uncle Toby’s and smaller operators have been under the scrutiny of consumer groups and the ACCC. Read more…