‘Ranger Dan’ says hands off our name
A TOWNSVILLE wildlife business has vowed to continue using its well- known name despite claims it’s in breach of trademark regulations.
Daniel “Ranger Dan” Bamblett and Jackie Hasling started Hands On Wildlife almost a decade ago, and first applied to register their business name in September 2009.
“We chose the name during our business planning process,” Mr Bamblett said. “We made sure to search the appropriate registers for any similar existing business names or trademarks.
“At the time, our searches indicated that there were no similar names or trademarks on the registers, so we proceeded to commence use.”
Melbourne- based Raymond “The Snakeman” Hoser says he claimed the words “hands on” as a trademark over a decade ago for his business “Hands On Reptiles”, which is also a registered trademark.
Mr Bamblett said Hands On Wildlife became aware of Mr Hoser in 2016, after he and Ms Hasling had already “established a very strong reputation” in North Queensland.
Mr Bamblett and Ms Hasling withdrew their trademark lodgement for Hands On Wildlife on June 14, 2018, a decision Mr Bamblett said was made voluntarily. Despite that, he said he and Ms Hasling would not be changing their business name.
“As no decision has ever been made by a court or tribunal to the effect that we cannot use our trademark, there is nothing presently forcing us to change our name and brand,” he said.
“We have a very strong brand that we intend to stand by.”
General manager of Trade Marks and Designs Group at IP Australia Paula Adamson said the registration of a trademark was not mandatory, however it did provide a basis for a registered trademark owner to enforce their rights.
“Whether or not the trademarks for ‘ Hands on Reptiles’ and ‘ Hands on Wildlife’ could both be registered is difficult to answer as the application has now been withdrawn, and there are a number of other considerations as well,” she said.
Mr Hoser said in a statement that he “immediately commenced opposition proceedings” against Hands On Wildlife’s trademark application.
Mr Hoser said he would continue to legally pursue Hands On Wildlife if they wouldn’t change their name for what he claims is ongoing trademark infringement.