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Friday, February 12, 2010
Change of Heart costly for rookies
Date: February 12th 2010
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
WHO has the right to the heart of Melbourne is a question that may soon have an answer.
The Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, which holds trademark rights to the Heart of Melbourne moniker, and Football Federation of Australia, which has approved the name of Melbourne Heart for the second A-League team in the Victorian capital, are expected to meet shortly over the issue of their confusingly similar appellations.
"We've been contacted, or our lawyers have, by the FFA and we're looking forward to having a meeting soon. To have a chat through the issue," chief executive of the LMCF Andrew Chappell said yesterday.
The LMCF lodged an objection almost three weeks ago to the new club's name with IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs. Nonetheless, Melbourne's new A-League club proceeded with the announcement of its name, logo and colours nine days ago.
Chappell has indicated that the LMCF intends to protect its trademark right to the Heart of Melbourne name, by which its annual appeal for the homeless of Melbourne is known.
The foundation, of which Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is president, has until April 22 to detail its case.
Should IP Australia rule in LMCF's favour, the consequences for the FFA and the A-League's newest outfit could be not only embarrassing but costly.
Beyond a name change, the FFA is in the process of seeking approval for the alternative Sporting Melbourne FC apparel and merchandise orders for the 2010-11 season with the league's provider, Reebok, which must be finalised by the end of this month.
It is understood that a typical order involves several hundred thousand dollars.
Chappell said the LMCF was open to a "mutually beneficial resolution" and was keen to meet the FFA.
"I suppose you could call it (the FFA letter) progress, in the sense that until recently there appeared to be no acknowledgment of our position or existence at all," Chappell said.
"It would be marvellous if that (an outcome that pleased both) occurred but we're not doing this, protecting our name and the cause of homelessness that the trademark serves and is identified with, for our benefit. We're doing what we think we should do for the charity."
According to the LMCF and Melbourne Victory, the appearance of Doyle, a former Liberal state opposition leader, at a Victory promotional clinic yesterday was a coincidence and not related to the problem the foundation has with the Victory's fledgling derby foe.
"At the moment we don't have a link with Melbourne Victory," Chappell said.
"It may have been that we recommended the charity to (Victory major sponsor) Intralot or Melbourne, as an organisation with expertise in the field.
"What I would say, though, is that his (Doyle's) particular passion, and ours, is homelessness and he has a stance on the issue that is very strong," he said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/change-of-heart-costly-for-rookies/story-e6frg7mf-1225828957682
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
WHO has the right to the heart of Melbourne is a question that may soon have an answer.
The Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, which holds trademark rights to the Heart of Melbourne moniker, and Football Federation of Australia, which has approved the name of Melbourne Heart for the second A-League team in the Victorian capital, are expected to meet shortly over the issue of their confusingly similar appellations.
"We've been contacted, or our lawyers have, by the FFA and we're looking forward to having a meeting soon. To have a chat through the issue," chief executive of the LMCF Andrew Chappell said yesterday.
The LMCF lodged an objection almost three weeks ago to the new club's name with IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs. Nonetheless, Melbourne's new A-League club proceeded with the announcement of its name, logo and colours nine days ago.
Chappell has indicated that the LMCF intends to protect its trademark right to the Heart of Melbourne name, by which its annual appeal for the homeless of Melbourne is known.
The foundation, of which Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is president, has until April 22 to detail its case.
Should IP Australia rule in LMCF's favour, the consequences for the FFA and the A-League's newest outfit could be not only embarrassing but costly.
Beyond a name change, the FFA is in the process of seeking approval for the alternative Sporting Melbourne FC apparel and merchandise orders for the 2010-11 season with the league's provider, Reebok, which must be finalised by the end of this month.
It is understood that a typical order involves several hundred thousand dollars.
Chappell said the LMCF was open to a "mutually beneficial resolution" and was keen to meet the FFA.
"I suppose you could call it (the FFA letter) progress, in the sense that until recently there appeared to be no acknowledgment of our position or existence at all," Chappell said.
"It would be marvellous if that (an outcome that pleased both) occurred but we're not doing this, protecting our name and the cause of homelessness that the trademark serves and is identified with, for our benefit. We're doing what we think we should do for the charity."
According to the LMCF and Melbourne Victory, the appearance of Doyle, a former Liberal state opposition leader, at a Victory promotional clinic yesterday was a coincidence and not related to the problem the foundation has with the Victory's fledgling derby foe.
"At the moment we don't have a link with Melbourne Victory," Chappell said.
"It may have been that we recommended the charity to (Victory major sponsor) Intralot or Melbourne, as an organisation with expertise in the field.
"What I would say, though, is that his (Doyle's) particular passion, and ours, is homelessness and he has a stance on the issue that is very strong," he said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/change-of-heart-costly-for-rookies/story-e6frg7mf-1225828957682
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