Community concern over Preston Lions Football Club’s new name ‘Preston Makedonia’
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The decision by IP Australia, the Australian government agency that administers intellectual property to legally register the name ‘Preston Makedonia S.C.’ for NPL Victoria team Preston Lions Football Club has caused community concern.
The decision provoked a reaction by a well-known member of the Greek community Sam Kostoulias, who wrote to IP Australia requesting an explanation.
He emphasised that according to the Prespa Agreement, the trade name “Macedonia” or “Makedonia” cannot be registered, nor can the Sun of Vergina be used as an emblem.
Kostoulias also resorted to the Freedom of Information (‘FOI’) in order to be informed about how the decision in question was made.
His complaints were responded to by Blake Knowles, Director Trade Marks & Designs Quality, Practice, and Customers and Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks, who in his detailed response argued that Australia recognises and implements the Prespa Agreement, but the issue of registering the name “Preston Makedonia SC” does not fall within the provisions of the agreement.
“While the examiner conducted careful research, they were not satisfied that the use of the term Makedonia in the context of the trade marks was scandalous…” read the letter.
“The use of the term ‘Makedonia’, in the context of the trade marks, does not convey any expressly racially or culturally offensive, or irredentist, message.
“The use appears to be for the purpose of self-identifying cultural heritage associated with the applicant. Our research indicates the term ‘Macedonian’ is also used by other organisations representing or serving Australians whose heritage is North Macedonian.
“While I acknowledge that there are some within the Greek Australian community who would strongly prefer that the term ‘Macedonia’ or ‘Makedonia’ only be used by those with heritage from the Greek region of Macedonia, or to refer to the region of Greece, this is not enough to render use of the trade marks by the applicant as scandalous.”
Kostoulias disagrees, he is not willing to “leave the issue here” and hopes that the Greek community (organisations and individuals) will support his effort.
He has also sent the letter he received from the Australian authorities to the Greek diplomatic authorities, hoping that they will take similar steps.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
