10-year-old Darwin entrepreneur Angus Copelin-Walters wins court battle against global giant Sony

DARWIN’S 10-year-old business entrepreneur Angus Copelin-Walters has taken on the big guns of the corporate world and come out on top.

10-year-old Angus Copelin-Walters is flying high after settling a trademark dispute with Sony. Picture: Che Chorley

• The Darwin boy who’s taking on a global giant

DARWIN’S 10-year-old business entrepreneur Angus Copelin-Walters has taken on the big guns of the corporate world and come out on top.

For the past two-and-a-half years Angus has been locked in a trademark dispute with entertainment giants Sony Pictures Television.

The battle began in 2017 when the then eight-year-old lodged a trademark for ‘Croc Tank’, a mentoring initiative to help kids develop ideas and learn about financial literacy.

While young, Angus was no stranger to business.

He’d been running his successful Croc Candy company for more than a year when he thought of how he could help others, particularly those kids with learning difficulties.

Angus Copelin-Walters with some of his Croc Candy lollies in 2017. Picture: Justin Kennedy

A diagnosis of his dyslexia was the catalyst for a series of initiatives that led to the establishment of Croc Candy in the first place.

Sony Pictures Television, owners of TV show Shark Tankand trademark of the same name, objected to Angus’s Croc Tank trademark and so the battle began.

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Angus said he was a big fan of Shark Tank, saying he was inspired by the ideas and feedback from the investors.

On top of that, three of the US-based ‘sharks’ are dyslexic, which is also a reason he was inspired.

Angus admitted he thought the battle with Sony would never end but it’s come out sweet for him with a confidential settlement reached with the media heavyweight.

10-year-old Angus Copelin-Walters is flying high after settling a trademark dispute with Sony. Picture: Che Chorley

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of learning and in particular, a valuable lesson in never giving up.

He didn’t let the Sony stoush hold him up and he has continued his creative thinking.

When COVID-19 hit and most of his Croc Candy orders were cancelled, he did what all good entrepreneurs do – a pivot.

It came about after he’d been learning to sew from a lady who owns an interiors shop.

“I usually visit the elderly to give them candy treats and have a chat,” Angus said.

“Because I couldn’t do that with COVID restrictions I came up with a new plan.”

Angus Copelin-Walters used his time in COVID-19 lockdown to learn how to sew. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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Angus is now making bags for walkers, handmade coasters and other products under the name ‘Ango Mango’.

“One man said he smiled the biggest smile when I gave him the coasters,” he said.

Angus’s workshops for kids kick off during October Business Month.

This time he’s chosen the name Kids Can – and he’s certainly proved that is the case.