Patents
A device, substance, method or process that you have invented.
Gives you the exclusive right to commercially exploit your invention.
Patents service level commitments
Product Quality Commitments
| Patents Product Quality Standard (PQS) | Conformance Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) % of Cases Conforming to the PQS. |
| Tier 1 | |
| 1. Correct search procedure is adopted for all searches | 93.5% |
| 2. All relevant objections/considerations which would adversely affect (or have the potential to affect) the validity of the patent are taken | |
| Tier 2 | |
| 3. All other objections/considerations are taken | 90% |
| 4. The report/opinion is free of clearly invalid objections/considerations | |
| 5. Reports and opinions are comprehensive and informative | |
| Tier 3 | |
| 6. Search results are correctly communicated | 85% |
| 7. Written formalities are complete and correct | |
Product Quality Standards Tier 1 = Product Quality Standards that relate to matters which would adversely affect (or have the potential to affect) the validity of the IP Right.
Product Quality Standards Tier 2 = Product Quality Standards that relate to matters which would require a considerable amount of rework and/or inconvenience to the applicant or IP Australia.
Product Quality Standards Tier 3 = Product Quality Standards that relate to matters which are important in terms of overall perception of the quality of the product.
Service Level Commitment
| Registration and Examination Standard |
| 1. We examine and issue first reports on applications for standard patents within 12 months of receiving the request for examination. |
| 2. We will examine and issue a report on your innovation patent within 6 weeks of receiving the request for examination or the patent being sealed. |
| 3. We will issue international search reports for patents within 10 weeks of receiving the search copy of the international application unless the application is for more than one invention. |
| 4. We will issue international-type search reports for patents within 6 weeks of receiving the request for the search, unless the search request covers more than one invention, or we ask you to supply a written search statement |
| 5. We will respond to correspondence relating to the examination of your application within 20 working days of receiving the correspondence. |
| 6. We will seal your patent within 4 weeks after the opposition period has expired, provided no one has opposed the application and any applicable fees have been paid. |
| 7. We will grant your innovation patent, provided you have paid the fee and complied with the formalities, within 4 weeks of the application being lodged. |
| Hearing Standard |
| 8. We will issue our decision within 12 weeks of holding a hearing, unless we receive further submissions or evidence. |
For our current compliance with these commitments, go to our Charter Reports.
More patents statistics are available at our IP Statistics page.
Last Updated: 22/12/2011
