BENNETT & PHILP MAKE THE GRADE AGAIN

BENNETT & Philp Lawyers has again been recognised by the prestigious Doyle's Guide to the Legal Profession, being named in the 2015 guide as one of the leading intellectual property firms in Brisbane.

Directors and intellectual property lawyers Ken Philp (pictured) and Tony Bennett have also been identified in Doyle's national report as two of only six IP lawyers in Brisbane considered to be leading professionals who consistently draw the praise of clients and peers.

The firm has previously been singled out for distinction by Doyle's in 2010, while Bennett and Philp were recognised in the same category in 2012.

Bennett & Philp was the only Queensland firm to have two representatives identified as leading practitioners, and Philp says the recognition is a sizeable achievement.

"It's a major win, because it's essentially a peer judgement," Philp says. "They survey patent attorneys and other lawyers, both in Queensland and interstate, so we've got a few references there."

Since 1987, the partners have been involved in some of the leading intellectual property cases in Australian law, recording a number of significant wins along the way.

In 2011, the firm scored a headline win for a small Brisbane company after a three-year battle over the innovation patents for fish slaughtering devices, while other prominent victories include a patent matter for computer programmes to translate English to Chinese, and a High Court trademark infringement case for a major health supplements company.

In November, Bennet & Philp will address a full Federal Court appeal to set the law in Australia on the control and use of a trademark by its registered owner over licensees.

Irish company Wild Geese Whiskey, represented by Bennett & Philp, are pitted against Italian-based multi-national Campari, who argue the Wild Geese label too closely resembles its own Wild Turkey bourbon brand.

"It's important because it will determine the scope of how the licensee or owner uses a trademark, if they're to avoid losing it," says Philp. "This is going to be very important for licensees of trademarks."