US company owns the naming rights to an Australian landmark
The council that oversees Bondi Beach has called on US retailer Abercrombie & Fitch to relinquish the naming rights to Australia’s favourite beach.
The international fashion giant is the official, registered owner of the Bondi Beach trademark in the US.
Abercrombie & Fitch doesn’t have any Australian stores anymore, it still owns the naming rights to Bondi Beach, which prevents Australian companies such as Bondi Wash from applying a trademark for its products in the US.
Waverley Council Mayor Sally Betts will contact Federal Trade Minister Steven Ciobo to see if he can fix this situation.
“It’s an Australian beach so I don’t believe anyone in another country or another country should be able to trademark it.
“I’m assuming in Australia we are not allowed to trademark New York.
“It’s disappointing because people who run a business in Bondi and have a wonderful product they want to sell in the US, are unable to trademark their own product.”
“I think it’s problematic for any of our locations to be trademarked overseas,” said Mayor Betts.
“When you think of the value, especially the economic value of Bondi Beach, it’s enormous.”
Do you think it’s right that overseas companies can trademark Australian landmarks?
Australians should go to the USA and play them at their own game!
Find things in the US that are not tradmarked and register them here in Oz.
LOL
Wonder if the Bald Eagle has a trademark. I could just see an Australian trademarking that bird...LOL
What about something like the Grizzly Bear?
Rae,
It would appear anythings for sale these days. Heritage or not.
SD