Welcome to the April edition of Smart News!

We have a jam-packed issue for you this month featuring interesting stories and useful resources on innovation in business. In particular, keep a look out for the many happenings in your state associated with the Australian Innovation Festival which starts on World IP Day on 26 April, through until 14 May.

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It Starts With an Idea - World IP Day, 26 April 2006

World IP Day is celebrated internationally on 26 April. The theme this year is "Intellectual Property: it starts with an idea". IP Australia will be holding a number of events and activities, so come and join the party.

>>>> Visit our website for all the details.

Australian Innovation Festival 2006:
26 April – 14 May

The Australian Innovation Festival is a national festival that showcases events and activities to increase public awareness of the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship. It also encourages and supports networking and business opportunities for participants in the areas of research, development and technology commercialisation, across all industry sectors.

>>>> Read on for more information.

>>>> A list of events in each state is provided here.

The Favourite Australian Trade Mark – Vote Now!

IP Australia is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the first registered Australian trade mark on 3 July 2006.

We want you to play a vital role by nominating your favourite Australian trade mark* to compile a list of the top 10 Australian trade marks! Once you’ve helped us narrow down the thousands of great Aussie trade marks, we’ll open voting to the public to see just which trade mark is Australia’s #1 choice.

>>>> Submit your nomination.

* For this promotional campaign ‘Australian trade mark’ is defined as any trade mark that was first registered in Australia.

The New Inventors – Spotlight on 2005 Grand Final Winners

The popular ABC series, The New Inventors is now in its third season. Every week inspiring stories and amazing innovations are featured, prompting us to ponder, ‘Now why didn’t I think of that?’. Last year IP Australia was proud to be involved with the 2005 Grand Final show.

>>>> Read about the 2005 finalists and winners.

Have you got a great idea?

>>>> Find out how to apply to appear on the show.

Smart News Case Study

Gary Lewtschenko's 'Anywhere Touring Tent' will be pitched all over the world now that he has his intellectual property sewn up.

>>>> View the full story.

Smart News Feature Site

www.abc.net.au/catapult
Catapult is the ABC Online's website about good ideas, invention and innovation. As many good ideas turn into money spinners, Catapult also covers how to get started in business and how others have succeeded.

The site features stories on entrepreneurs and innovators, a business jargon buster and an ‘ask an expert’ facility.

Extras

Trade Mark Assisted Filing Service (AFS)
Your business’s trade mark is your unique identity and can be a very valuable asset – so isn’t it time you did something about it? The AFS provides fast, cost effective and helpful information about the suitability of your proposed trade mark, before you apply.

>>>> Find out more.

Smart Start Events Calendar
Keep up to date with all of the IP and small business events on offer.

business.gov.au
For more small business information, visit www.business.gov.au.

Don't forget to visit the Smart Start website for loads of helpful information on how to manage your IP issues including real life Australian case studies, and useful tools like a confidentiality agreement builder and business plan templates.

We hope you find this service interesting and of value. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to provide  feedback.

IP Australia wishes you a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

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