Buckle-up: FPA hits turbulence on FAAA acronym

Mike Taylor

Managing Editor and Publisher

9 May 2023

The Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) has hit a roadblock in its attempt to trademark the “FAAA” acronym.

The FAAA has received a legal letter from a law firm representing the Flight Attendants Association of Australia objecting to the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s attempt to trademark “FAAA”.

The Financial Advice Association of Australia is the body formed out of the merger of the FPA and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).

The letter, from South Australian firm, Turon Legal, states: “My client objects to and will oppose your application for registration of ‘FAAA’ as a trademark”.

The letter then states the reasons for the opposition as including the fact the acronym has been in use by the Flight Attendants Association since 1 June, 1992, the acronym is also registered as a Business Name with an ATO issued ABN and that “since the inception of digital media, my client has used the acronym”.

It also states that the name and acronyms FAAA and faaa have been published in numerous media articles, including, and not limited to radio and television broadcasts and that “the public seeing my client’s long-user acronym, ‘FAAA” being related to a financial services body would send a confusing message to the public and our members”.

“Another organisation using the same acronym would confuse the public, or its members, when searching for my client on the web. My Client does not wish for the public who are seeking to contact your Association, to call our offices seeking financial advice, or seeking assistance with grievances in that domain”.

FAAA chief executive, Sarah Abood acknowledged receipt of the letter and said that her organisation was working with the Flighted Attendants Association to help resolve their concerns.