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Media releases
Please note that media releases from previous years have been archived according to the year in which they were released: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
IP Australia and QUT launch Peer-to-Patent Australia trial
IP Australia and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) today launched Peer-to-Patent Australia, a web-based trial project aimed at supporting patent examination and improving the quality of issued patents in Australia.
Peer-to-Patent Australia uses Web 2.0 technology to allow experts within the community to review participating patent applications and bring relevant prior art to the attention of IP Australia’s patent examiners.
Participating applications are reviewed by experts within the community on the Peer-to-Patent Australia website for a period of 90 days, prior to formal examination by IP Australia’s patent examiners.
The trial will include the public review of up to 40 business method or related patent applications.
You can be involved in the Peer-to-Patent Australia trial in two ways.
Patent applicants can provide consent for suitable business method patent application/s to be reviewed on the Peer-to-Patent Australia website for a period of 90 days, prior to formal examination by IP Australia.
The public can join the Peer-to-Patent Australia online community as a reviewer to help IP Australia locate information relevant to pending patent applications.
Companies such as IBM, Aristocrat, CSIRO, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard and Yahoo have submitted applications and are participating in the trial.
To submit an application for the trial, contact Ben McEniery at the QUT on (07) 3138 2833 or email b.mceniery@qut.edu.au. To register as a reviewer, visit the Peer-to-Patent Australia website at www.peertopatent.org.au. For other inquiries contact Paulette Paterson at IP Australia on (02) 6283 2749 or email Paulette.paterson@ipaustralia.gov.au.
For more information on Peer-to-Patent Australia, click here.
New Intellectual Property Council Members Appointed
Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry Richard Marles has announced four new appointments to the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP), a key advisory panel on Australia's intellectual property system.
The new council members are:
- Ms Vicki Tutungi, CEO Optiscan
- Dr Derek Rogers, Senior Systems Engineer SAAB Systems
- Ms Julia Banks, General Counsel GlaxoSmithKline Australia
- Professor Brian Fitzgerald, Queensland University of Technology
IP Australia’s IP Lodgement Point commences in Darwin
IP Lodgement Point, IP Australia’s new state based lodgement services, commences in Sydney on Monday 2 November 2009. From this date, customers in Darwin wishing to lodge in person can do so at the CBD based Australia Post Retail Outlet located at 48 Cavenagh Street, Dawin.
The new service arrangements offer customers a secure way to lodge their IP (Patents Trade Marks and Designs) documents and make payments through the selected Australia Post outlet in Darwin all while securing their filing date.
The new service is available to IP Australia customers from 9am to 5pm weekdays where customers can make lodgements and payments relating to Trade Marks, Designs or Patents and secure a filing date for lodgements made. Lodgements will be transported through Australia Post’s secure overnight courier service, securing documents and fees at the lodgement point and right through to delivery at IP Australia’s head office in Canberra.
Fast tracking patents for green technology solutions
IP Australia is helping green innovators find a fast track to the marketplace by offering priority to environmentally friendly technologies in the patent application system.
Richard Marles, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, said this initiative offers environmentally-beneficial inventions a way to reach consumers quickly.
WIPO & QUT Launch Post Graduate Program in IP Law
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have collaborated to offer a Master of Intellectual Property Law program from February 2010. This program was launched by the WIPO Director General, Dr. Francis Gurry, Director General of IP Australia, Mr. Philip Noonan, and Executive Dean of QUT’s Faculty of Law, Professor Michael Lavarch, in Brisbane.
This innovative course offers a unique opportunity for students to acquire a deeper understanding of the principles of intellectual property (IP) law and, in particular to focus on IP developments with an emphasis on Asia-Pacific countries.
Mr. Noonan said “As the Australian Government agency responsible for administering patents, trademarks, designs and plant breeder’s rights, IP Australia is pleased to form a strategic relationship with QUT to support the new Master of Intellectual Property Law program.”
IP training raising the bar in education for small business
29 July 2009
Small businesses which need to protect their valuable intellectual property (IP) like inventions, brands and designs can now access a new nationally accredited training package. The training offers small businesses practical knowledge about how to protect and benefit from IP. The IP training package consists of eight units which cover all aspects of IP such as managing IP to grow business, protecting business identity and protecting new inventions. The IP training package is funded by IP Australia, and aimed at giving small businesses the skills to compete in today’s knowledge-based economy.
Professional Standards Board Members Reappointed
26 June 2009
Richard Marles, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, has announced the reappointment of two members to the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys.
The reappointed members are Mr David Webber and Ms Julie Ballance.
Strong Growth for Green Innovations
24 April 2009
A 250 per cent jump in green trade marks in the energy sector over the past five years - compared to the previous five years - is one indicator showing strong growth in intellectual property (IP) applications for green technologies in Australia.
Reflecting on World Intellectual Property Day this Sunday 26 April, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr, also pointed to an increase in patent applications as further evidence that industry is adapting to, and finding new ways to combat, the challenges of climate change.
IP Examination Centre to Boost Australian Innovation and Jobs
2 April 2009
IP Australia opened a new patent examination centre in Melbourne today, to meet the future needs of Australia's innovators.
The Melbourne Patent Examination Centre will be responsible for examining patent applications in the fields of chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry and electronics.
Reappointment of Disciplinary Tribunal
26 March 2009
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, today announced the reappointment of Ms Sigrid Higgins to the Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys Disciplinary Tribunal.
The tribunal plays an important role in our innovation system by providing the appropriate checks and balances in relation to the conduct and discipline of intellectual property professionals.
Statement on patent application AU 2004309300
16 March 2009
IP Australia statement on patent application AU 2004309300 relating to a human embryonic stem cell line.
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