In a trend known as BYO Computing, employees are increasingly wanting to use their own mobile computer technology for work purposes. Mobile computing can benefit employers, but there are legal risks as well.

Technology, Media and Telecommunications Partner Michael Pattison and Workplace Relations Partner Simon Dewberry speak to Boardroom Radio about the legal issues surrounding mobile computing and how to manage them.

To hear Michael and Simon’s interview, go to http://www.aar.com.au/med/audio.htm

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

In brief: The Full Court of the Federal Court has overturned an earlier decision that servingware maker Bodum’s reputation in its ‘Chambord’ coffee plunger was ‘distinctly tied’ to its Bodum name. Partner Tim Golder (view CV) and Senior Associate Anna Thorburn report on this latest decision.

• Background
• The decision
• Secondary meaning or independent reputation
• Did DKSH do enough to distinguish its coffee plunger?
• Dissenting judgment
• Conclusion

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

A high-stakes patents war between the world’s leading smartphone and tablet companies is currently taking place.

Partner Chris Bird speaks to Boardroom Radio about the issues surrounding the current battle and what it means for consumers.

To hear Chris’s interview, go to http://www.aar.com.au/med/audio.htm

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

In brief: The Full Federal Court has unanimously overturned a controversial decision concerning patent infringement, holding that commonsense should prevail when approaching the construction of patent claims. Ordinary words in claims should be given their plain and ordinary meaning, as a person skilled in the art would understand them. Partner Chris Bird (view CV) and Senior Associate Lester Miller report on a case that will be welcome news to patentees.

• Background
• What it means for you

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

In brief: Early next year, the domain name frontier will open up and eligible entities will be able to apply for their own generic top-level domains, presenting significant opportunities and challenges for businesses. Partner Tim Golder (view CV), Senior Associate Jesse Gleeson, Trade Marks Attorney Carissa Apps and Law Graduate Andrew Wilcock look at the issues.

• Approval of new gTLDs
• Securing new gTLDs
• Securing domain names in new gTLDs
• Preventing and addressing undesirable gTLD registrations
• Preventing and addressing undesirable domain name registrations at the second level
• Steps to take now
• Post-script: .xxx launch dates confirmed

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

• Approval of the .xxx domain name space
• What are the consequences of defensively registering a .xxx domain name?
• How and when can I defensively register a .xxx domain name

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

In brief: Although recently tested in the High Court, the issue of whether copyright exists in a compilation remains difficult to define and ultimately involves a consideration of intellectual input. Partner Tim Golder (view CV) and Law Graduate Courtney McLennan look at a case where the Federal Court displayed a certain latitude in finding the existence of originality.

• Background
• The legal arguments of the case
• The decision: a compilation worthy of protection
• Independent intellectual effort: resonance with IceTV
• Conclusion

 Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

In brief: IP Australia is currently considering draft legislation that proposes some major changes to, and developments in, IP protection in Australia. This will include consideration of submissions made by all interested stakeholders over recent weeks. In this article, Partner Trevor Davies (view CV) and PTA Technical Assistant Sean Blasdall highlight some of the key features covering patents, and Partner Tim Golder (view CV) and Senior Associate Anna Thorburn highlight some of the key features covering copyright, trade marks and designs.

• Introduction
• Patents
• Copyright
• Trade marks
• Designs

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.

In brief: In a landmark copyright decision, the Full Federal Court has upheld a decision that copyright in both the White Pages and the Yellow Pages directories was not made out because computer programs, rather than human authors, had done the crucial work of arranging the information and producing the particular form of its expression. Partner Jackie O’Brien (view CV) and Law Graduate Henry Fraser report.

• Compilations as literary works
• Ice TV and the decision in the present case at trial
• The trial decision in the present case
• The decision on appeal
• Analysis
• Conclusion

Reproduced with permission of Allens Arthur Robinson and in accordance with their terms of use.