Leave your mark

Tuesday, 4 July, 2006 - 22:00
The Note would like to bring your attention to the fact that this week is the 100th anniversary of the first federally registered trademark. Now’s your chance to nominate your favourite trademark in an online vote conducted by IP Australia, the federal agency responsible for administering registered intellectual property rights. The top 10 trademarks for voting have been narrowed down from a possible 40 by prominent Australians, and comprise ABC, Arnott’s (what about Tim Tam?), Penfolds, Qantas, RM Williams, Vegemite, Weet Bix, Wallabies, Woolmark, and David Jones. While many trademarks comprise words, slogans or logos, since January 1996 it has been possible to register sounds, smells (hmm, interesting), three-dimensional shapes, aspects of packaging and colours, or a combination of these elements. The winning trademark from the vote will be announced in August, and The Note can’t wait to find out if the winner is still, in fact, Australian owned.