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Patent attorneys work at the intersection of technology, science, business and law. Their role is not just to file patent applications, but to understand how an invention works, assess what may be new, draft protection carefully and help businesses decide whether a patent makes commercial sense.
The EU AI Act is moving from policy to enforcement. New transparency and disclosure obligations now affect AI systems and general-purpose AI models operating in the EU, with implications for training data, copyright compliance and synthetic content. For Australian businesses using or licensing AI tools, the changes offer an important preview of where AI regulation may be heading.
Using a competitor’s name in advertising is not automatically unlawful, but the way it is used matters. Trade mark infringement, misleading conduct and passing off risks can arise where advertising creates confusion, suggests an association, or makes inaccurate comparisons. Careful review of ad copy, landing pages and competitor references can help reduce the risk.
Louis Vuitton’s trade mark win against Molly Tea became a reputational headache, sparking debate over cultural heritage, brand ownership and enforcement strategy. The case shows why protecting IP is not just a legal decision, but a commercial one.
Not every invention should be patented. In some cases, keeping valuable information confidential as a trade secret may provide better long-term protection. The right strategy depends on what you are protecting, how easily it can be copied or reverse engineered, and whether secrecy can realistically be maintained.
IP due diligence helps buyers, sellers and investors understand what intellectual property a business owns, whether it is properly protected, and where hidden risks may sit. A practical review can uncover ownership gaps, missing assignments, outdated registrations, licensing issues and other problems before they affect a transaction.
A provisional patent application can be a useful first step in protecting an invention, but it is not a patent in itself. Its value depends on what is filed on day one, particularly whether the invention is described clearly enough to support an early priority date and future patent protection.
Having a patent does not necessarily mean you are free to commercialise your product. A freedom to operate search looks for existing patent rights that could create infringement risk before launch, manufacture or market entry. Identifying those risks early can help businesses avoid costly surprises and make better commercial decisions.
Paying for work does not necessarily mean your business owns the intellectual property created. Contractors, agencies and even founders can create valuable IP that sits outside the company unless ownership has been properly documented. Clear employment terms, contractor agreements and IP assignments can help avoid costly problems later.
