Zip Co Secures Australian Brand Rights and Clears Legal Overhang With No FY26 Impact

By Josua Ferreira -

Zip secures its brand: Settlement with Firstmac ends Australian trade mark dispute

Zip Co (ASX: ZIP) has reached a settlement with Firstmac Limited, resolving the Australian trade mark dispute first disclosed on 13 May 2026. Under the agreement, Zip acquires registered trade mark No. 1021128 for ZIP, confirming it can continue using the Zip brand name across all Australian products and services. Zip’s US and New Zealand branding was never affected by the proceedings, making this a strictly Australia-specific resolution.

What the settlement means for Zip and its investors

What was the dispute about?

A registered trade mark gives its owner exclusive commercial rights to use a name or logo within a designated jurisdiction. For a consumer-facing brand like Zip, control of that name is directly tied to its ability to operate, market, and grow without legal interference. The dispute with Firstmac centred on Australian rights to the ZIP trade mark and was a legal proceeding, not a product or technology matter.

Key terms of the settlement

The announcement confirms the following facts:

  • Zip acquires registered trade mark No. 1021128 for ZIP
  • Zip has no further liability for damages or costs in relation to Firstmac’s proceedings
  • The settlement amount is not material to the Zip Group
  • The settlement does not affect Zip’s FY26 guidance
  • All other terms of the settlement are confidential

The settlement sum was not disclosed in the announcement and should not be assumed.

Item Detail
Trade mark acquired Registered trade mark No. 1021128 for ZIP
Liability status No further liability for damages or costs in relation to Firstmac’s proceedings
Financial materiality Settlement amount is not material to the Zip Group
Guidance impact Does not affect Zip’s FY26 guidance
Confidentiality All other terms of the settlement are confidential

Board authorisation

This announcement was authorised for release by the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on behalf of the Board.

Business as usual: FY26 guidance intact

For investors, the two most material confirmations in this announcement are that the settlement amount is not material to the Zip Group and that FY26 guidance remains unchanged. The resolution removes any overhang from the legal proceedings and allows management to maintain focus on its core operating priorities.

Zip operates across two core markets, ANZ and the US, offering point-of-sale credit and digital payment services to millions of customers through a global network of tens of thousands of merchants. With Australian brand continuity now secured, the company is free to pursue its strategic and financial objectives without distraction from this matter.

The three key investor takeaways from the settlement are:

  1. Brand continuity in Australia confirmed, with no operational disruption to products or services
  2. No financial liability overhang, with the settlement amount confirmed as not material and FY26 guidance unchanged
  3. US and New Zealand operations were unaffected throughout the course of the proceedings

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zip Co trade mark dispute with Firstmac about?

The dispute centred on Australian commercial rights to the ZIP trade mark, with Firstmac holding registered trade mark No. 1021128 for the ZIP name, which conflicted with Zip Co's use of the brand across its Australian products and services.

What trade mark did Zip Co acquire in the Firstmac settlement?

Zip Co acquired registered trade mark No. 1021128 for ZIP as part of the settlement, giving it full ownership of the ZIP brand name for use across all Australian products and services.

Does the Firstmac settlement affect Zip Co's FY26 earnings guidance?

No — Zip Co has confirmed that the settlement does not affect its FY26 guidance and that the settlement amount is not material to the Zip Group.

Were Zip Co's US and New Zealand operations affected by the trade mark dispute?

No — the dispute was strictly Australia-specific, and Zip Co's US and New Zealand branding and operations were never affected by the proceedings.

What are the key terms of Zip Co's settlement with Firstmac?

Zip Co acquires the registered ZIP trade mark, faces no further liability for damages or costs related to Firstmac's proceedings, and the settlement amount is not material; all other terms remain confidential.

Josua Ferreira
By Josua Ferreira
Partnership Director
Josua Ferreira holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Advertising and brings a background in publication, business development, and ASX market storytelling. He has worked with listed companies across the resource sector and broader market, combining sharp commercial instincts with a genuine commitment to keeping investors informed.
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