Integrated patent examination with New Zealand
18 Feb 2011
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, have announced a new initiative to integrate New Zealand and Australia's patent examination services. This will result in a single patent examination process for both countries.
What are the benefits for innovators?
- Potential savings in professional fees and patent protection costs.
- A faster examination process - which may help an innovator get their invention to market more quickly.
- Consistent and high quality patent examination - which will give innovators greater confidence when seeking IP protection overseas.
IP Australia and its New Zealand equivalent, IPONZ are working on specific details for each of the IP outcomes to maximise the benefits for business.
This initiative is part of the Single Economic Market outcomes framework, which aims to make things easier for Australian and New Zealand businesses.
For more information on the project read the Prime Minister's press conference.
This initiative compliments our package of work to help innovators and businesses get the protection they need to expand and compete globally.
We have a range of projects designed to make the IP system work more efficiently for innovators and businesses by raising patent thresholds, improving access to patent records and collaborating with other countries to avoid duplication of work.
Last Updated: 15/9/2012
