Sydney zoos reach out of court settlement in branding dispute

Taronga Zoo’s legal challenge with the developer of a new attraction which wants to call itself Sydney Zoo has been settled out of court, with the western Sydney newcomer to keep the name.

An agreement was reached by the two organisations out of court after Taronga Zoo launched legal action against Sydney Zoo Pty Ltd in the Federal Court earlier this year.

The not-for-profit Taronga Zoo alleged misleading or deceptive conduct, arguing the title could cause the public to confuse the new zoo with its own facility on Sydney harbour and to falsely believe it was located in the city's centre.

In a joint statement released yesterday (10th May), the parties said they were "pleased to confirm that they have resolved the legal proceedings over the use of the name ‘Sydney Zoo’".

The statement advised "the parties have been in discussion and have agreed to take reasonable steps to avoid confusion for visitors to the individual facilities.”

Sydney Zoo Chief Executive Jake Burgess told AAP “it's obviously a massive relief for us now that we have clarity regarding our brand.”

Burgess said there would be no further legal action and the new attraction, near Blacktown, would continue to focus on delivering a "fantastic" facility in early 2019.

While the details of the agreement are confidential, Taronga Conservation Society Australia spokeswoman Libby Hodgson said the two parties were able to agree on several measures that would clarify any confusion.

Hodgson advised “our concerns were for visitors particularly for international visitors facing confusion over their intended destination.

"It's a good outcome and we're really pleased with the matter."

Burgess concluded that in practice the settlement meant Sydney Zoo would "put appropriate locality descriptors on our website and marketing materials and avoid using imagery uniquely associated with Taronga Zoo.

"For example, we wouldn't be using a giraffe and the Harbour Bridge.”

6th March 2018 - LEGAL BATTLE BEGINS OVER SYDNEY ZOO TRADEMARK

3rd March 2018 - COURT CASE LOOMS AS TARONGA ZOO LOOKS TO CLAIM ‘SYDNEY ZOO’ NAME

17th February 2018 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW REVEALS ‘INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTING’ RESULTS FOR WET’N'WILD SYDNEY

13th September 2017 - NEW WESTERN SYDNEY ZOO GETS PLANNING APPROVAL

12th July 2017 - TARONGA ZOO MOVES TOWARD PLASTIC-FREE OPERATIONS

4th July 2017 - NEW FUNDING AIDS TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO 

13th February 2017 - WESTERN SYDNEY ZOO PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO PLANNING COMMISSION FOR FINAL DECISION

7th October 2016 - TARONGA ZOO MARKS 100 YEARS OF CONSERVATION 

5th May 2016 - NEW OPERATIONS APPOINTMENT AT FEATHERDALE WILDLIFE PARK

17th April 2016 - DESIGNS REVEALED FOR NEW TARONGA WILDLIFE RETREAT 

7th April 2016 - NEW WESTERN SYDNEY ZOO PLANS TO MAKE THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY

30th December 2015 - NEW WESTERN SYDNEY ZOO TO FEATURE BEST PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY

30th November 2015 - TARONGA ZOO AND TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO RECOGNISED AT NSW TOURISM AWARDS 

17th September 2015 - PLANNED SYDNEY THEME PARK REPORTS $1 BILLION INVESTMENT BACKING

8th September 2015 - CAGE FREE WESTERN SYDNEY ZOO TO BRING VISITORS ‘FACE TO FACE’ WITH ANIMALS

27th August 2015 - WILD LIFE SYDNEY ZOO CELEBRATES BIRTH OF KOALA JOEY

3rd August 2015 - WILD LIFE SYDNEY ZOO LAUNCHES NEW WILD FLIGHT AERIAL ADVENTURE 

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