Effective 23 November 2025, WIPO has reduced the fees for designating New Zealand under the Madrid Protocol applications for international trade mark protection. In this article Elena explains why including New Zealand when designating Australia is now even more appealing.

In this article read about our 2024 customer survey. After more than 140 years providing patent and intellectual property services, we think we know what we’re doing, but just to be sure we asked our clients. Read about what we learned.

Almost three years ago a 6-judge bench in the High Court of Australia delivered an unsatisfying 3-all stalemate judgment. Aristocrat have now achieved a significant win before the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia in their quest for recognition of their electronic gaming machine invention as a manner of manufacture (as required by s 18(1A)(a) of the Patents Act 1990).

IP Australia recently released for consultation an exposure draft of the proposed Trade Marks Amendment (International Registrations, Hearings and Oppositions) Regulations 2025.  In this article Elena Szentiványi outlines the proposed changes and notes a couple of proposals may have significant implications.  

When filing an international application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), applicants can choose where the search and examination steps are conducted. In this article Charlene Lo outlines these choices, and factors which may be relevant when choosing a search or examination authority.

 IP Australia have been promoting their 2025 report on intellectual property filings, but what insights does it offer someone working in the field? Read our Henry Hughes IP article about trade mark filings in Australia.

 Henry Hughes IP is proud to announce its recognition as a 5-Star Employer of Choice for 2025 by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer. This prestigious accolade celebrates law firms across Australia and New Zealand that demonstrate excellence in workplace culture, employee engagement, and organisational leadership - and adds to their reputation as a top specialist IP firm.

Australia is one of the few jurisdictions (along with New Zealand) to still require that a patent specification disclose the "best method" of performing the invention known to the applicant.  The retention of the provision itself remains controversial.  

However, a recent case seems to confirm that the date at which the best method is calculated is the date of filing of the earliest complete specification, i.e. the date from which the patent term is calculated. 

Henry Hughes IP represented Actron Industries Inc. (“Actron”) in its successful defence in both Australia and New Zealand of their "Whippit" trade marks opposed by United Brands Products Design, Development and Marketing, Inc. (“United Brands”).

This article compares the two parallel oppositions to the "Whippit" trade mark. One was decided by the Commissioner of Trade Marks in New Zealand, the other by a Delegate of the Registrar in Australia.