Victoria Bitter, Red Rooster and online bookmaker TAB are among a long list of iconic Australian companies falling victim to a legal grey area allowing their brands to be exploited for commercial gain.
Channel Nine News Australia reports
A nine.com.au investigation found online clothing retailer Uncle Reco and print-on-demand marketplace Redbubble were two examples of retailers selling goods branded with the logos of the local brands without seeking permission from the rights holders.
Uncle Reco was using Red Rooster’s logo, with the fast food outlet unaware of the clothing containing its logo being sold, adding it had never been approached for permission.
“Whilst we acknowledge the jest involved, we do consider this to be an unauthorised use of our trademark and we can’t permit it,” a spokeswoman told nine.com.au.
Redbubble who has previously faced legal action from Pokemon and outlaw motorcycle gang Hells Angels, was also found to have unauthorised content, with both websites using the branding of TAB on clothing.
The bookmaker said while it does take copyright seriously and acts when necessary, the Uncle Reco design wasn’t too troubling as it used the former logo of the betting giant.
“We do take action as needed to protect our intellectual property,” a TAB spokesman said.
