National Rugby League (NRL), the biggest top-level domestic men’s rugby league club competition in Australia, has joined hands with IP Australia to trial a new digital app specifically designed to eliminate counterfeiting.
ZDNet reported that the trial will be carried out in two official online merchandise stores for NRL – NRL Shop and Savvy Supporter. Furthermore, these stores will be marked with a special badge to determine that the website is authentic and has been marked by IP Australia as authentic. The badge will also provide link to a registered trademark.
Karen Andrews, the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology said, that their government will do everything to help the businesses’ protect themselves.
“Australian products are in demand around the world thanks to our reputation for quality and the Morrison Government will do everything we can to help our businesses protect themselves,” she said.
“This app could be used across a range of Australian made products and is a great example of how new technologies can be applied in very practical ways to grow the economy and create local jobs.”
The blockchain technology will be used here to enable trademark owners to digitally link to the government register to prove they are the authentic owner of the trademark, a product’s origin, and control the use of their marks.
“NRL members and fans are the lifeblood of our sport who want to buy the genuine article when supporting their club – the Trust Badge helps NRL fans identify authentic and licensed products online,” NRL general manager consumer business Shaun McMartin said.
“Counterfeiting damages legitimate wholesalers and retailers who invest in genuine products and robs the NRL Clubs of much needed revenue.”
IP Australia is also working with other industry and government agencies to trial the Smart Trade Mark.
