Of Fast Cars and Curvy Models

The recent Bench and Bar Games saw members of the Law Society, including the President, being treated to more than the usual nibbles at the Welcome Reception at Little Bali. Sponsor, Cycle and Carriage, tempted members to reach for their cheque-books with the latest models of Mercedes Benz ready for test-driving.

Down Under Humour       

Sometimes, it is better not to give people ideas. Delegates at the recent Children and the Law Conference could not help but refer to its Australian guest speaker Scott Falvey as `The Sperm Guy’ despite specific entreaties from him not to do so. Mr Falvey spoke on the topic `Posthumous Sperm Donation – From the Grave to the Cradle’ and informed his audience that he invariably ended up being remembered as such by delegates even though he rather be remembered by his given name. His fellow countryman, Andrew Davies’ opening quip for his paper was to observe with regret that his topic on Child Abduction wasn’t going to be as sexy. Mr Davies nevertheless kept delegates enthralled with his session.

Let Off Steam

We all know working life can be like being in a pressure cooker, but a building near Raffles Place has taken the concept quite literally. Pedestrians walking pass the newly finished One George St (former Pidemco Centre) will literally see the building letting off steam. Dim sum, anyone?

Exchanging Barbs over Barbie

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear the case of Barbie the Doll vs Barbie the Barbecue Restaurant in an appeal by US toymaker giant Mattel Inc, against two Federal Court decisions that allowed a Montreal restaurant owner to register the name ‘Barbie’s’ for his two restaurant-bars, which serve mainly barbecue dishes.

Mattel contends this will confuse people. The restaurant owner said the name makes people think of barbecue, not fashion dolls. The toy company registered Barbie and Barbies for its dolls three decades ago in Canada . This case will look at whether the Trademark Act, which bars people from using similar names for doll-related products, also provides protection from people using the name for other goods and services.

The case will be heard in October alongside a similar appeal involving the French champagne maker Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin and a women’s clothing firm in Quebec that was allowed to register Cliquot as a trademark.