An Australian children's entertainment group and a leading Queenstown tourism operator are in discussions over the intellectual property rights of two simple words: "big" and "red".
Shotover Jet, owned by Ngai Tahu Tourism for the past 35 years, has the proprietary rights to the Big Red trademark, used in a range of merchandise connected with the jet-boat operation.
However, The Sunday Star Times reported the Wiggles had applied to the Intellectual Property Office in New Zealand for trademark rights to the phrase "big red boat".
In a notice of opposition to the office, Ngai Tahu contended a "big red boat" trademark would be confusing to all.
Ngai Tahu southern regional manager David Kennedy said the two parties were involved in "amicable discussions" and he expected there would be no issue in sorting out operating with similar trademarks.
"Basically, we were both registering trademarks at the same time and realised they were going for `big red boat' and we were registering `big red'.
"We just thought we should talk to each other and we are having amicable discussions," he said.
"I know they're touring the country shortly and I know I'm going to see them because my son's a big fan.
"I don't know if they're going to be around [Queenstown], but if they are around I'd like them to come and see our big red."
