The Internet’s naming system is entering a significant new phase. In April 2026, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will open applications for a fresh round of new generic Top-Level domains (gTLDs). 

This article by Zoe Dewhurst provides an overview of the 2026 ICANN new gTLD round and its opportunities and risks for brand owners.

IP Australia has released a suite of proposed amendments aimed at simplifying intellectual property (IP) regulation, reducing administrative burdens, and aligning Australia’s IP framework with key overseas jurisdictions. The consultation documents and proposed reforms span patents, trade marks, designs, plant breeder’s rights (PBRs), and the regulation of IP attorneys. 

The consultation period is fairly short, open until 2 April 2026. Contact us if you would like our guidance or assistance with making a submission on the future of Australia’s IP landscape.

In this article Zoe Dewhurst sums up the11 March 2026, the High Court of Australia delivered its highly anticipated judgment in Taylor v Killer Queen LLC [2026] HCA 5. The case stems from a long standing dispute between Australian fashion designer Katie Jane Taylor (formerly Katie Perry) and American pop star Katy Perry (Katheryn Hudson). The dispute has become one of the most significant Australian trade mark decisions in recent years.

The High Court ruling clarifies how reputation, confusion, and rectification of the Trade Marks Register are to be assessed under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (TMA). The Court ultimately found in favour of Taylor, overturning the decision to cancel her registered trade mark ordered by the Full Federal Court.

In this article Jesse Strafford recaps the recent Aristocrat (AU) and Emotional Perception (UK) appeal decisions on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions, and considers how these may influence the law on patentability in New Zealand.

Nice Classification Update: Effective 1 January 2026, the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification (NCL 13‑2026) will come into force. This update brings significant reclassifications of goods and services compared to the current 12‑2023 Edition. These changes may affect future TM applications.

The Full Federal Court of Australia decision in Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd v Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd [2025] FCA 44 has found that only patents directed to active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) per se are eligible for a patent term extension.  This decision overturns earlier decisions of the Federal Court, and a considerable body of practice, allowing patent term extensions for patents directed to pharmaceutical formulations. 

In this article Jesse Strafford tells us why this decision (NCL Corporation Ltd v Norwegian Brand Ltd [2025] FCA 1613) is a good illustration of the s 59 ground of opposition, when seldom a successful ground of opposition.

Read our Henry Hughes IP highlights of 2025 - awards and milestones. This year it was particularly pleasing to be acknowledged as a 5-Star Employer, and named a Top Specialist Intellectual Property firm for the fifth year in a row!

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand has refused registration of the Ara Toa logo trade mark in class 25 for shoes, following an opposition by Ara AG, a German footwear company with a long-standing presence in New Zealand.

In this article Tanya Carter and David Moore give a break-down of the decision, and throw a spotlight on what the decision offers IP practitioners as suggestions to handle deficient pleadings.