Australia’s intellectual property organization has received an application to copyright (or trademark, depending on who you ask) the much-used ‘Made in Australia’ logo. This could be a nightmare for many small business owners who have used the mark for years to distinguish their products from foreign competitors.
Many Aussie entrepreneurs claim the change would cost them millions and “tie their hands in claiming their goods are local,” according to an article in Australia’s Daily Telegraph. If the application is approved, companies that continue using the logo or phrase on their products would be infringing on intellectual property rights and could face charges.
Interestingly, another group already holds the trademark for the similarly coined “Australian Made” logo. The organization, named the Australian Made Campaign, only allows paying members whose products meet certain specifications to use the logo on their products.
It is logical to assume the applicant for the Made in Australia logo copyright is simply trying to do the same and become a competitor to the AMC. But with so much opposition to the possible copyright from independent small businesses, it wouldn’t be surprising if it doesn’t pass at all.
Jonathan Munk writes articles for major Logo Design companies such as LogoDesign.com and LogoWorks.com
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