Newsletter - September - October 2024

 

- INTA Leadership 2024

- Sirpa Update

- Zone’s 15th Birthday

- Sweet Louise Event

 

INTA Leadership 2024

From 12-15 November, Theodore Doucas will be attending the International Trademark Association Leadership (INTA) conference held in New Orleans, USA. He is looking forward to catching up with friends, colleagues and what next year has in store!

 

Sirpa Update

On 24 October 2024, Zone Law with Clive Elliott KC and Sharon Chandra appeared at the Supreme Court for the final appeal of the Sirpa Alalääkkölä case. Ms Alalääkkölä’s ex-husband sought equal ownership of copyright in her artwork on the basis the copyright is relationship property. 

 

The question of copyright being defined as relationship property under the Property (Relationships) Act, had not previously been dealt with by the Courts of New Zealand.  

 

The Supreme Court is considering whether copyright is property for the purposes of New Zealand’s relationship (community) property law, and if it is whether it is separate or relationship property. 

 

The Supreme Court’s decision on these important questions (being the first time a senior appellate court has considered the point) will shape New Zealand law and undoubtedly have significance throughout at least the commonwealth.  We have had the great pleasure of working with Clive Elliot KC and Sharon Chandra and look forward to the result.

 

Zone’s 15th Birthday

Happy 15th birthday Zone Law and Zone IP!

 

Look how far the Zone team has come! One of the most trusted IP and commercial law firms in New Zealand. Thank you to all our valued clients that started on our journey with us and to all those clients that have jumped on board along the way.  We wouldn’t be here without you! We are truly honoured to support and protect your IP and business rights. 

 

We look forward to many more amazing years working together.

 

Sweet Louise Event 

We were delighted to host a Sweet Louise afternoon tea in the Auckland office during the breast cancer awareness month of October. We exceeded our fundraising goals for a very worthy cause.