Shelston IP has become aware of a recent increase in the
number of unscrupulous companies offering unsolicited IP services.
We urge our clients to treat any unexpected correspondence about
their intellectual property with caution.
Such correspondence typically appears in the form of a
professional looking "invoice", with a request for
payment regarding the "publication" or
"renewal" of your patent, trade mark or design (often for
countries outside Australia). "Publication" usually
involves the inclusion of your patent, trade mark or design in a
private journal (which may or may not exist).
These "publications" often have grandiose titles like
"European Trade Marks Directory" (or similar). We advise
that payment of this "invoice" does not confer any rights
in your company's patent, trade mark or design in any
country.
