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Nick Holmes | Partner

LL.B., LL.M., Lawyer and Trade Mark Attorney

Nick Holmes

Areas of Expertise

  • Trade Marks

Nick practices in all aspects of trade mark law, providing advice on trade mark clearance, prosecution, opposition and enforcement in Australia and New Zealand. He also advises on and manages international trade mark programs for local and international clients.

In addition to his experience in all aspects of Australian trade mark law, Nick is a specialist in New Zealand trade mark law. He regularly advises and represents local and international clients regarding clearance, registration and protection of trade marks in New Zealand. Nick also advises on common law and statutory protection relating to trade marks, in Australia and New Zealand.

Nick's professional experience extends from advising small local businesses on trade mark law and protection in Australia and overseas through to managing an international trade mark program covering 2800 applications in seventy countries. He directly reports and advises clients based throughout the world including in the USA, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. His clients range from small local businesses through to large multinational domestic and foreign corporations, and international industry groups.

At all levels his practice focuses upon identifying his clients needs and developing solutions which addresses those needs in the most comprehensive, timely and cost-effective way possible.

Nick has published several articles and case notes on Australian and New Zealand trade mark law. He also regularly presents seminars throughout Australia and overseas on a wide range of trade mark matters to local industry groups, foreign government and industry representatives, and other trade mark practitioners.

Affiliations and Memberships

  • Member: New Zealand Law Society
  • Member: International Trademark Association
  • Member: Law Institute of Victoria
  • Member: Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand
  • Committee member: International Trademark Association Asia-Pacific & Canada Parallel Imports (2010-11)

Qualifications

  • Master of Laws, Monash University
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Otago, New Zealand


Nick’s latest articles

Extension denied in NZ trade mark opposition: holiday delays not sufficiently "exceptional"

This recent New Zealand trade mark opposition decision confirms that there must be exceptional circumstances in order to… more »

What cost Australian trade mark opposition reform?

Times are changing for Australia’s opposition process, and it may cost more than small change for those involved in… more »

Primo beer mark refused registration in NZ; likely to "deceive or cause confusion" with Primo milk

Pabst Brewing Company applied to register the trademark PRIMO in relation to beer. New Zealand Milk Brands Limited opposed… more »

Articles about Nick

DCC hosts Aussie BBQ at the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting

The 2011 International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting took place in San Francisco from May 14 - 18. The event… more »

DCC attends 2010 International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting

The 2010 International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting took place in Boston, USA. The event attracted 8300… more »

Sir Gustav Nossal highlights Australian & NZ biotech strengths

The New Zealand Victoria Business Group NZVBG identifies itself as "the peak body connecting New Zealand and Victorian… more »