PATENT & TRADEMARK NEWS ARTICLES
AUSTRALIAN IP LAW CHANGES - EFFECTIVE: 15 APRIL 2013
Important changes to the Australian intellectual property system came into effect on 15 April 2013 affecting both trade mark and patent applications. Read more >
AUSTRALIAN PATENT LAW CHANGES - DEADLINE: 12 APRIL 2013
Changes to the standard of patentability and validity come into effect on 15 April 2013, setting a deadline of 12 April 2013 for requesting examination to take advantage of existing more lenient standards. Read more >
PATENT PROSECUTION HIGHWAY PROGRAM EXTENDED INDEFINITELY
The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program is an initiative between IP Australia and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to improve efficiencies in the examination of patent applications. Read more >
THIRD PARTY OBSERVATIONS ALLOWED IN PCT APPLICATIONS
As of 2 July 2012, WIPO is allowing third party observations to be filed in respect of PCT applications. Read more >
NEW "RAISING THE BAR" IP LAW
The "Intellectual Property Amendment (Raising The Bar) Act" was passed into law on 15 April 2012. Read more >
OFFICIAL FEE CHANGES - 1 JULY 2012
New official fee rates will take effect from 1 July 2012 with a new 4th anniversary renewal fee for patents introduced. Read more >
PATENTABILITY OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Under current patent law in Australia, isolated biological materials are considered patentable. This may be about to change with dangerous ramifications for the bio-tech industry. Read more >
COTTERS TRADE MARK ROUNDUP - SUMMER 2010/2011 EDITION
Welcome to the Cotters Trade Mark RoundUp for Summer 2010/2011, where we present a brief overview of recent decisions of the Australian Trade Marks Office. Read more >
DIVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS - CHANGES TO EXAMINATION
Divisional patent applications will now be examined more quickly under recently implemented changes by the Australian Patent Office, as part of a broader "IP Reform" agenda. Read more >
US BUSINESS METHOD PATENTS AFTER BILSKI
On 28 June 2010, the US Supreme Court handed down a much anticipated decision involving the patentability of business method patents in the United States. Read more >
COMMERCIALISATION AUSTRALIA TO SUPPORT INNOVATION
Commercialisation Australia is the Australian Government’s new initiative to support companies and individuals in commercialising new inventions. Read more >
IP IMPLICATIONS OF COMPANY DEREGISTRATION
Upon deregistration of an Australian company, any outstanding property of the company vests in the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). Read more >
PATENT PROSECUTION HIGHWAY (PPH) WITH USPTO EXTENDED
The USPTO and IP Australia announced on 14 April 2009 that the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program would be extended. Read more >
VALUING PATENT AND TRADE MARK PORTFOLIOS
There are numerous strategic and legal reasons why a company might need to assign a monetary value to its patent and trade mark portfolio. Read more >
EMPLOYEES AND OWNERSHIP OF IP
The interpretation of employment contracts by the Australian courts with respect to the ownership of IP is a constantly changing area of Australian law. Read more >
TAKE THE PATENT PROSECUTION HIGHWAY TO THE US
On 14 April 2008 a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program was introduced on a trial basis for one year between IP Australia and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Read more >
REGISTERED DESIGNS BECOMING FASHIONABLE
Changes in 2003 to the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and the introduction of the Designs Act 2003 (Cth) preclude fashion designers from relying on copyright to protect their garment designs. In order to seek protection for their garment designs, designers must now register the designs with IP Australia.
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