'College of Law' copyright case

Wednesday 14 November 2012 @ 12.41 p.m. | Corporate & Regulatory

The College of Law Sydney and the Australian National University are at odds over the useage of the name "College of Law."

The College of Law in Sydney has been using the name "College of Law" since 1974 in providing postgraduate training to law graduates. However, in 2005, the Australian National University opened a law faculty called the ANU College of Law, leading to College of Law Sydney issuing proceedings in the Federal Court claiming trademark infringement, misleading and deceptive conduct and passing off.

ANU claims that the trademark never should have been granted, as there is nothing distinctive about the term "college of law." 

The case is currently before the court.

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