http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au Intellectual property news and announcements from IP Australia en-au webadmin@ipustralia.gov.au Small businesses now have a new tool to help them manage their patents, trade marks and other valuable intellectual property (IP) assets. Intellectual Property Explorer is an online tool that will help small businesses profit from their hard work and ingenuity by identifying and analysing different forms of IP relating to inventions, designs and brands. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#28 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#28 Following a review of its fee structure and consultation with customers, IP Australia made a formal request to Government to increase patent fees. This request has been approved and IP Australia will therefore increase some patent fees and introduce two new fee items as of 1 August 2010. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#27 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#27 Generic top level domains (gTLDs) are the last part of a domain name, such as .com or .net. There are currently 21 gTLDs in use around the world. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#26 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#26 The community review phase of the inaugural Peer-to-Patent Australia pilot project has now ended. For those of you not familiar with the project, Peer-to-Patent Australia is a web-based initiative aimed at supporting patent examination and improving the quality of issued patents in Australia. This is a joint project of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and IP Australia that was launched in December 2009. The project's chief investigators are Professor Brian Fitzgerald and Ben McEniery. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#25 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#25 IP Australia has recently completed a review of its fee structure. The fee review proposed changes to patent fees and were published below for customer feedback and comment. The consultation period ran for four weeks until 10 June 2010. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#24 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#24 IP Australia recently held an IP Forum focussing on IP and exporting. The forum featured a keynote address by Boost Juice's General Counsel and Company Secretary. The IP Forum is an important engagement mechanism for IP Australia. It provides a wide range of stakeholders with an opportunity to engage with IP Australia on a specific issue. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#23 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#23 In accordance with the directives adopted by the PCT Assembly at its thirty-second session , new equivalent amounts in AUD have been established by WIPO, and the new PCT fees will become effective from 1 July 2010. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#22 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#22 In accordance with legislation, the Director General has declared the Tasmanian sub-office not open for business today. This action is a result of an incident at Australia Post which has closed the facility in Hobart for several hours. This close down is effective for 9 June 2010. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#21 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#21 The validity of any patent granted by IP Australia may be challenged via court proceedings by any party at any time. The patent (686004) subject to court action by Cancer Voices Australia was first granted in Australia in 1998. IP Australia will be monitoring the relevant court proceedings. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#20 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#20 A staggering 63 per cent of small and medium sized exporters risk significant losses if they fail to protect their intellectual property (IP) against theft and imitation overseas. To help Australian exporters protect themselves in the international marketplace, IP Australia is bringing together a panel of experts to provide the latest advice on IP issues http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#19 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#19 Due to the 10 year timeframe between renewal periods the Renewal Reminder Notice will now be issued on two separate occasions. This notice will now be issued at 4 months and again at 2 months prior to the Renewal Due Date, if payment for renewal has not been received. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#18 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#18 A forthcoming forum will feature a discussion on how IP Australia has used Web 2.0 technology to enable the community to pool their knowledge and potentially improve patent decision making. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#17 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#17 IP Australia has completed a review of fees charged under the IP Rights legislation. We have also reviewed our agency Cost Recovery Impact Statement (CRIS). IP Australia is seeking your feedback on the proposed fee changes and the draft CRIS. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#16 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#16 As a formal component of IP Australia’s Customer Engagement Strategy, the Business and Industry Forum, or BIF, provides the agency with an opportunity to meet with key business stakeholder groups. The objective of the BIF is to gather vital stakeholder feedback in order to improve the way IP Australia administers the registered IP system. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#15 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#15 IP Australia is hosting the third IP Forum on the 25th of May in Melbourne. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#14 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#14 Wireless mobile devices, video conferencing and satellite mapping systems are some of the technological advancements making the world smaller and more connected. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#13 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#13 The TRIPS Protocol enables least-developed and developing countries deal with health crisis such as an HIV/AIDS, malaria or influenza epidemic. Such countries are often unable to manufacture the necessary pharmaceuticals and can not afford to purchase them in the normal way. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#12 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#12 On 29 March 2010, the New York district court ruled that certain patents relating to the breast and ovarian cancer genes BRCA1 and 2 are invalid. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#11 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#11 The Plant Breeder’s Right Advisory Committee (PBRAC) was established by the Plant Breeder’s Right Act 1994. PBRAC advises the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on issues that may arise under the PBR Act. PBRAC also advises the Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights on technical and administrative matters. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#10 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#10 Part 2 of the Australian Designs Office Examination Manual has undergone a review. Further information and additional chapters have been published to assist examiners. The content in part 2 of the manual includes searching, examination and procedural and legal maters relevant to the examination of design applications under the Designs Act 2003. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#9 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#9 IP Australia’s new state based lodgement services (IP Lodgement Point) commence in Brisbane Tuesday 6 April 2010. From this date, customers in Brisbane wishing to lodge in person can do so at the CBD based Australia Post GPO which is located at 261 Queen Street. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#8 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#8 Over recent years there have been repeated calls from patent owners in Australia, particularly individuals and small to medium sized enterprises, concerning the difficulties associated with enforcing their patent rights . After extensive consultation and consideration, the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property presented its final report to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, in January 2010. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#7 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#7 If you are a designer, inventor, innovator, business owner or just about anyone who has an idea, then IP Australia want to speak to you. Our goal is to create a user focused website which is easy to use and makes finding information simple. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#6 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#6 Australia’s first Peer-to-Patent pilot project is approaching its half-way point. The patent applications currently on the Peer-to-Patent Australia website will be open for peer review until 9 March 2010. The second phase of the project will then commence, with a new set of patent applications becoming available on the website for peer review. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#5 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#5 In January, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research launched Commercialisation Australia, a new initiative to assist researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative companies to convert ideas into successful commercial ventures. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#4 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#4 In 2005, the Government asked the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) to: "inquire, report and make recommendations to the Australian Government on issues relating to the enforcement of plant breeder’s rights in Australia and to consider possible strategies to assist Australian plant breeder’s rights holders to effectively enforce valid rights. The review should include a consideration of whether any practices and procedures relating to the enforcement of plant breeder’s rights are appropriate to be referred to the Federal Magistrates Court." http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#3 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#3 IP Australia has recently become aware of a website operated by a Perth based business, 4webmarketing.biz, that uses the phrase 'Trade Mark Office Australia' as the title of its webpage. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#2 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#2 Join IP Australia and a keynote speaker for breakfast and learn about two vital issues for business - branding and intellectual property. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#1 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new.shtml#1 WIPO has announced that a Florida-based company was found to have violated the state's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by sending out misleading invoices to patent and trade mark applicants. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#78 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#78 Earlier this year IP Australia commenced consultation on a series of IP reforms. The first round of this consultation is now complete and the second round consultation papers are now available. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#77 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#77 Customers should note that IP Australia's Customer Service Centre in Canberra will close at 6pm AEDT on Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December 2009. This will mean that the enquiry service (1300 651010) will not be available to customers after 6pm Canberra time Christmas Eve. Sub offices in other States, including IP Lodgement Points will be open as usual until 5pm to receive filings and payments. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#76 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#76 IP Australia and the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand have been collaborating to increase harmonisation of examination practices, where possible, practical and appropriate. http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#75 http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/resources/news_new_archived_2009.shtml#75