COVID-19 as a Trade Mark in Australia: issues and Implications

This article discusses the registrability of trade mark applications for "COVID-19" (and other "tragedy trade marks") under Australian law. The Australian approach is instructive as it proceeds on doctrinal principles (such as distinctiveness), a common threshold for trade mark registrability across the globe. The bar to "scandalous" marks relating to obscenity and blasphemy, and options for reform are also discussed.