July 22 2012
Queensland is no longer the Smart State after the Newman government opted not to renew the trademark on Peter Beattie's marketing tag.
In a statement, Premier Campbell Newman said his government had retired the trademarks Queensland the Smart State and the Smart State as part of cost-cutting.
The trademarks expired on July 9 and would have cost $5400 each to renew - plus $18,000 each per month to maintain, he said.
"This would have been an unwarranted cost to renew the trademarks which were not often used," he said.
There are still about 20,000 Smart State registration plates yet to be allocated to vehicles but otherwise the decision will have little impact on government business, Mr Newman said.
He said the Beattie government developed and trademarked the tags for marketing and communication material in 2003.
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