Melbourne IP specialists try to save the ‘city’... law firms pay above average for prestige offices... and gender-targeting on the increase in family law practises...
Cooper Mills takes on David vs Goliath case
Melbourne law firm Cooper Mills is representing a suburban soccer club in a bid to protect its name. A-league club Melbourne Hearts has changed its name to Melbourne City, much to the annoyance of a small western suburbs club of the same name. The original ‘City’ has played under that name since 1991 and has now appointed IP specialists at Cooper Mills to try to prove ownership. Experts suggest that as the smaller club is not ‘trading’ it would fall outside the legislation that protects businesses from another using its name. Both clubs have applied to register the name as a trademark, but IP Australia has yet to make a ruling.
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Law firms chose prestige addresses despite higher rents
A new report by commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE, shows that European law firms are still prepared to pay higher rents for premises at the best locations. According the Law in Europe report, half of law firms pay above average market rents for their premises – around 10 per cent more in fact. The bigger firms in particular are keen to ensure that their offices offer clean, modern environments which give flexible configuration and effective use of space. Read the full story.
Lawyers target male clients
A growing number of Law firms are marketing themselves to men as family law changes mean greater equality in cases including parental access and custody. One suggestion of the growth in firms choosing a male niche is that the lawyers at those firms may have been involved in divorce and custody battles as children. There are those that doubt that firms’ focusing on one gender is a positive move, as it may intensify battle lines.
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