ABC News has reported on a window cleaner from regional NSW who is fighting a multinational company in Federal Court after launching a glass coating product just three weeks into his business.
Felipe Drumond, a father of two from Kendall, spent $15,000 launching RioGuard, a protective glass coating for his window cleaning clients. Within weeks, he received a legal notice from PCT Global, the manufacturer behind market leader EnduroShield, claiming his product packaging was deceptively similar to theirs. The multinational demanded he hand over his customer list, profit details, and cease trading. The case heads to Federal Court in February 2025.
Intellectual property experts say this type of action isn’t unusual—established businesses routinely protect their IP regardless of a competitor’s size. But for small operators like Drumond, who has already spent $4,000 on legal fees and lost money on the venture, the consequences can be devastating. The case serves as a stark reminder that entering established markets requires careful consideration of existing trademarks, trade dress, and potential passing-off risks—even for small-scale operations.
Before launching products in competitive markets, it’s important for you to understand your IP risks. Read our free article, “Understanding the legalities of your business branding”.
Read the full ABC News story about this David vs Goliath legal battle here.
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