Registration is free, but essential.

Refreshments provided on the conclusion of the lecture.

RSVP to the above contact by Wednesday 3 September 2008.

Abstract

Twenty years ago, Australia comprehensively modernised and reformed its admiralty law. The aim of this lecture is to revisit some of the fundamental questions posed by the Australian Law Reform Commission in its influential Report 33 on Civil Admiralty Jurisdiction, which led to the enactment of the Admiralty Act 1988 (Cth):

• Is there a theoretical or practical need for a separate admiralty jurisdiction?

• Do the justifications for a specialist admiralty jurisdiction still hold water in the 21st century?

• Is admiralty law “unique”, as is often asserted, and what does this mean?

• Is there a principled and conceptually coherent body of “admiralty law” in Anglo-Common Law jurisdictions?

Click to download flyer.

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

Trafficking in persons, especially women and children, is a global phenomenon. It involves the movement of individuals by means of force, threats, deception, fraud, or the payment of money for the purpose of exploitation.

The true extent of this problem is not fully known, largely due to the clandestine nature of this phenomenon. Reports about the number of trafficked persons in Australia vary greatly depending on the source of information. Government agencies suggest that several hundred persons are trafficked into Australia every year while non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups argues that this trade involves several thousand people.

In March 2008, the TC Beirne School of Law at The University of Queensland established a working group to research and analyse the available evidence on trafficking in persons in Australia. This project provides the first comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in Australia, and develops effective policy recommendations to prevent and suppress this problem at domestic levels. It identifies and analyses reported and suspected cases of human trafficking where Australia has been destination, transit, and/or source country.

This presentation will discuss the first findings of the working group’s research and to bring together government agencies, community groups, academic researchers, students, and others with an interest in this topic.

For further information about this event and to RSVP please contact Dr Andreas Schloenhardt (a.schloenhardt@law.uq.edu.au) or Mr Angus Graham (s4075515@student.uq.edu.au)by 18 September 2008.

Click to download flyer.

The latest constitutional change in France.

- How can the French Constitution be changed?

- What was the context of this constitutional change?

- What do we find in the current constitutional change?



A – Presidency gained power

1) The “State of France” address

2) Concessions to the balance of powers



B – Gains and losses for the Parliament

1) The benefits

a)The agenda

b)The end of by-election

c)A fair vote of confidence

d)Working committees

2) The losses

a)The scope of the referendum broadened

b)The constitutional plea



C – The omissions

1) The “borrowing ban”

2) Holding of several mandates continues

3) The untouchable Senate

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

Intellectual Property Issues for Horticulture Industries

Free Workshop

Digital Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne

Tuesday, 21 October 2008

2.00 – 4.00pm

The Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture (ACIPA) in conjunction with Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) is holding a free Workshop on intellectual property issues for horticulture industries. The Workshop is designed for researchers, growers, industry associations and others involved in horticulture who need to understand the role of intellectual property (plant breeder’s rights, patents, trade marks, copyright) in protecting and commercialising the results of research and development.

The Workshop will cover recent developments in intellectual property, particularly in the area of plant breeder’s rights which are having more and more impact on the horticulture industry. New varieties are now commonly protected by plant breeder’s rights with growers paying tree and/or end point royalties to breeders. Trade marks, copyright and patents are also being used to protect new innovations in the horticulture sector.

Topics covered include:

• Overview of Intellectual Property: patents, plant breeder’s rights, trade marks, copyright and confidential information/trade secrets.

• Plant Breeder’s Rights: scope, criteria, exemptions, enforcement, what does it mean for breeders and employers?

• Contracts and Intellectual Property: terms and conditions of use, closed loop, end point royalties, material transfer agreements.

Venue: Theatrette, Ground Floor, The Innovation Building, Digital Harbour, 1010 LaTrobe St, Docklands, Melbourne

Register: Please complete and return the attached registration form.

Enquiries: Carol Ballard, Phone - 07 3346 7506 Email - c.ballard@law.uq.edu.au

What's in a Name? Plant Variety Names and Trade Marks in Horticulture

Free Conference

Digital Harbour, Docklands, Melbourne

9.30am – 4pm, Wednesday, 22 October 2008

The Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture (ACIPA) in conjunction with Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) is holding a free Conference that looks at the important role that naming and branding plays in Australian horticulture. The Conference is designed for researchers, growers, industry associations and others involved in horticulture to examine the importance of naming as a means of branding and commercialising horticultural products.

The Conference will examine:

• the naming of plants from scientific, plant breeder’s rights and trade mark perspectives;

• situations where naming has played a key role in branding and marketing; and

• the role of certification trade marks in branding and quality assurance.

Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2008

Time: Registration 9.30am

Close 4.00pm

Cost: Free

Venue: Theatrette, Ground Floor, The Innovation Building, Digital Harbour, 1010 LaTrobe St, Docklands, Melbourne

Confirmed speakers and topics include:

- Prof Brad Sherman, Director, ACIPA, The University of Queensland, and Member of Plant Breeder’s Rights Advisory Committee

Opening Address

- Dr Roger Spencer, Horticultural Botanist, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

'Naming a Plant Variety: The Scientific Realities'

- Benny Browne, Principal, Griffith Hack, and Member of Plant Breeder’s Rights Advisory Committee. 'Naming a Plant Variety: The Plant Breeder’s Rights Perspective'

- Christine Lowe, Partner, Davies Collison Cave

'The Role of Trade Marks in Branding for Horticulture'

- Michael Hart, Manager, Vegetable Centre, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research

'The Tassie Vegetable Story'

- Jon Durham, Managing Director, Apple & Pear Australia Ltd

'The Pink Lady™ Story'

- Bridgette Engeler Newbury, Director, Incognito Sum

'What’s in a Name? A Marketing Perspective'

- Michael Pullen, Executive Officer, Australian Vine Improvement Association

'Certification Trade Marks: A Case Study'

- Graham Brown, Team Leader, Trade Marks Examination, IP Australia

'Pulling it all Together: What Makes a Strong Trade Mark?'

Enquiries: Carol Ballard, ACIPA, The University of Queensland

Phone: 07 3346 7506 Email: c.ballard@law.uq.edu.au

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

This event has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website

All welcome, no RSVP required.

Further details available from the Research Seminar Series website