Australian rugby/RA

[Wilson]

NZRU seeking legal advice over the NRL’s use of ‘Chiefs’ for the new PNG team. NZRU finally waking up to the NRLs growing commercial presence in Oceania?

Whatever legal challenge they put forward will likely fail, professional teams carrying the ‘Chiefs’ name is hardly proprietary, you’ve got Exeter Chiefs and Kansas City Chiefs in other comps/codes also.

I think the potential issue is around also using the same colours as well as name, but it's likely they're just trying to get ahead of things just in case there is anything egregious in the final branding.

Possibly a bit of a storm in a teacup due to a few particularly gullible journos falling for an AI mock up some random did that went around a few weeks back, which was basically a copy of the chiefs logo.

 

[kiap]

I think the potential issue is around also using the same colours as well as name, but it's likely they're just trying to get ahead of things just in case there is anything egregious in the final branding.

Possibly a bit of a storm in a teacup due to a few particularly gullible journos falling for an AI mock up some random did that went around a few weeks back, which was basically a copy of the chiefs logo.

For sure, pilfering the logo is action worthy. But the black, gold, white, red combination is already a thing.

 

[Wilson]

For sure, pilfering the logo is action worthy. But the black, gold, white, red combination is already a thing.

It's a bit different to Exeter with both these sides existing in much the same market, but I generally agree. I don't think there's any intent to go hard here, but in my (limited) understanding of trademark law you do need to be fairly pro-active in protecting your brand. The big issue will potentially come up will probably be jersey designs, if the PNG Chiefs were to put out a jersey too similar in design to a classic chiefs one at a cheaper price they may have case.

AI is probably the other part that would have them worried or at least keen to get in front of it - while it's unlikely PNG will trying to get away with active infringement, use of AI in lazy design processes will greatly increase the risk of them accidentally copying existing Chiefs branding without realizing. The (Waikato) Chiefs getting ahead of things here will help guard against that, and probably be key to them protecting their own trade mark if it comes to that.

 

[Dan54]

NZRU seeking legal advice over the NRL’s use of ‘Chiefs’ for the new PNG team. NZRU finally waking up to the NRLs growing commercial presence in Oceania?

Whatever legal challenge they put forward will likely fail, professional teams carrying the ‘Chiefs’ name is hardly proprietary, you’ve got Exeter Chiefs and Kansas City Chiefs in other comps/codes also.

Can't see what there any discussion about, they call themselves PNG Chiefs, how can there be any discussion.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Side being funded and ticked off by the NRL and Commonwealth Government. This will go nowhere but probably made the NRL smile if it bothered a Rugby side

 

[Major Tom]

Apologies rant incoming.
The loss against Italy last night really rams home how far behind we really are.

I’m less and less convinced we can compete on the international stage until we can select our best possible team from across the world like SA and Argentina. No other rugby country has to deal with the talent drain that we endure with rugby league. And our provincial comp (atm) just doesn’t produce the depth required to compete. SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) is compromised by other rugby comps and league. And circling back to the national team, we have a selection policy that favours NZR interest ahead of ours! Can’t select international players because “opening the floodgates” will hurt NZ rugby but then we can’t attempt to generate more income with an Anzac bled it doesn’t suit their stakeholders.
I’m usually pretty positive but this is so depressing and I genuinely can’t see a way forward unless we just accept we’re shit.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

@Major Tom, how does RA's selection policy wrt Wobs favour NZR's interest ahead of RA's?

 

[PhilClinton]

I thought the selection stuff was all done now? They’ve come out and said they’ll select anyone but will favour SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) players where possible.

It’s why everyone is excited about Marky Marky coming back. He’s likely going to sign overseas to get $$$ but we will be able to pick him for the Wallabies.

In saying that, wouldn’t surprise me if Waugh is trying to rattle the tin and get him back playing in SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) for some positive press after this disaster end to the year.

 

[Wilson]

The problem isn't RAs selection policy, it's that when push comes to shove these players are unwilling or unable to put the Wallabies jersey first and accept selection for us each week. That's not something RA can really do much about.

 

[Major Tom]

Sorry, I’m venting.
Searching for answers today.

 

[pnut]

The problem isn't RAs selection policy, it's that when push comes to shove these players are unwilling or unable to put the Wallabies jersey first and accept selection for us each week. That's not something RA can really do much about.

Then your selecting the wrong people no ?

 

[Major Tom]

@Major Tom, how does RA's selection policy wrt Wobs favour NZR's interest ahead of RA's?

Well, it has been pointed out to me that the git law is basically abolished these days. But I was suggesting that we have been hamstrung by not picking our best players because of an agreement with NZ not to go crazy selecting overseas players supporting their position. Anyways, I do recognise we don’t have the depth that NZ has but we can’t force players to play for the wallabies over club commitments.

 

[Wilson]

Then your selecting the wrong people no ?

I think you've missed the entire point of the conversation.

Whether or not the individual players in question are the 'wrong people' or not is largely irrelevant. We can't select whoever we want from where ever they are because there are more factors at play than RA's selection policy.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Then your selecting the wrong people no ?

Double negative here, but they currently aren't selecting the players who don't put Wallaby jerseys first, at least not consistently.

And they probably can't even if they wanted too.

So we continue to pick players who do put Wallaby jerseys first, and go down to Italy