SXSW acts to prevent Labor Party from using similarly titled event

Canberra’s Labor Party has been warned of a trademark breach, after attempting to name an upcoming festival ‘South by Southeast,’ modelled off well known Texas-based festival South by Southwest (SXSW).

The Canberra festival, which aimed to join musicians, artists and innovators from across the Australian Capital Territory was forced to change its name after being directly contacted by SXSW’s Australian representative, Phil Tripp.

Tripp said he had to take action immediately when he was notified of the breach in order to retain the trademark.

“Because we have trademark legislation in Australia, and many other countries, whenever the use of South by South West or any of its derivatives are used, the internet tells us.”