http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au Intellectual property news and announcements from IP Australia en-au webadmin@ipustralia.gov.au 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