Hijacked: The 30-year battle between an Australian motor home maker and global giant Winnebago

The Federal Court has found that a Sydney businessman, Bruce Binns, infringed copyright in the US company Winnebago’s name and logos over a 30-year period. The court found Binns, through his company Knott Investment, deliberately exploited Winnebago’s brand, logo and its reputation, and breached the Trade Practices Act and the Australian Consumer Law. Winnebago Industries […]

Engel Schmidl 31 July, 2012

The Federal Court has found that a Sydney businessman, Bruce Binns, infringed copyright in the US company Winnebago’s name and logos over a 30-year period.

The court found Binns, through his company Knott Investment, deliberately exploited Winnebago’s brand, logo and its reputation, and breached the Trade Practices Act and the Australian Consumer Law.

Winnebago Industries has been making its motor homes in the United States since 1966 but Knott Investments, which has nothing to do with the US company, began making similar vehicles in Sydney from at least 1982.