IP alert: Trade mark owners beware

July 2009

IP Australia recently published a warning on its website regarding a multi-million dollar scam targeting trade mark owners in Australia and overseas.

The organisation responsible, Trademark Publisher (TMP), is sending unsolicited correspondence, invoicing owners for the inclusion of their trade marks on TMP's Trade Mark register.
TMP and its website actually exists and includes searchable trade marks on its "register".

However, TMP is not connected in any way with IP Australia or any official body and as a result, inclusion on its register may add very little or no commercial value to the owner's trade marks.

IP Australia's warning is as follows:

27 July 2009
Warning to trade mark owners

IP Australia has recently received numerous calls from trade mark owners who have received an invoice from a company known as TMP, Trademark Publisher.

The invoice includes a Sydney street address for TMP and requests payment for publication of the trade mark owner's trade mark details in a register.

This company is not associated with IP Australia and has no official or government authority. The service they offer does not affect official trade mark registration or trade mark rights in Australia or, to the best of our knowledge, any other country.

Before paying a fee for any IP related service, please be sure to check the bona fides of the service provider to avoid being deceived.

If you do receive anything from any company (even IP Australia) requesting additional monies or payment regarding your trade marks, we recommend contacting your trade mark attorney or lawyer.

For further information on this warning, please visit IP Australia at http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/factsheets/unsolicited_ip.shtml

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