Elise Explains IPcast

Aldi, Dupes and IP Law: When “Inspired By” Goes Too Far Episode summary Aldi is no stranger to headlines for its lookalike products — often called “dupes”. But when does copying cross the legal line from legitimate competition into intellectual property infringement? In this episode of Elise Explains IP, Elise unpacks the legal risks behind dupe culture and explains how courts in Australia and the...

In this episode of Elise Explains IP, Elise breaks down how foreign words are treated under Australian trade mark law, and whether they can be considered descriptive — potentially undermining distinctiveness. We walk through the legal framework, practical examples, and what brand owners need to know when choosing and protecting trade marks that use words from another language. Key Discussion Point...

Episode Summary In this episode of Elise Explains IP, host Elise Steegstra breaks down a core concept in trade mark law: distinctiveness. Understanding whether a trade mark is distinctive — and at what level — can mean the difference between strong legal protection and a trade mark that’s vulnerable or unregistrable. Elise explains: What distinctiveness means in trade mark law The spectrum of dist...

In this episode of Elise Explains IP, Elise breaks down one of Australia’s most iconic branding disputes: the long-running legal battle between Kraft and Bega over the famous yellow peanut butter jar. We explore how something as simple as packaging colour can become the centre of a multi-million-dollar IP dispute — and what the case teaches every business about trade marks, goodwill, restructures,...

Beyond NDAs: Proactive Protection Strategies | Elise Explains IP In this episode of Elise Explains IP, Elise Steegstra breaks down what it really takes to protect your confidential information and IP assets — far beyond relying on a standard NDA. Many businesses assume an NDA alone will protect their secrets. In practice, courts expect more. Elise explores the legal, technical, and operational ste...

Trade Mark Basics: What Every Business Needs to Know | Elise Explains IP If you’re building a brand in Australia, understanding trade marks is essential. In this episode of Elise Explains IP, Elise Steegstra (lawyer & trade marks attorney) breaks down the fundamentals: what a trade mark is, why you need one, and how the registration process actually works. Whether you’re a founder, creator, sm...

Think you know intellectual property? In this episode, here’s what every Aussie creator, founder, and business owner actually needs to know about protecting their ideas.