At a glance
Policy ID: 9
Status: Completed
Priority: High
Issue summary
The Productivity Commission in its 2016 report into Australia's IP arrangements, and the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property in its 2010 review of the patentable subject matter, both considered that a statement of objectives should be included in the Patents Act 1990 to outline its purpose and provide general guidance on the application of the legislation. The government accepted this recommendation in both reports.
An objects clause provides additional clarity and guidance to the community on the purpose of legislation, assists the courts in interpreting the legislation, and can be used to resolve uncertainty and ambiguity.
History
- Consultation 30 August 2017 to 17 November 2017
- Policy development 20 November 2017
- Legislative drafting 26 March 2018
- Consultation 23 July 2018 to 31 August 2018
- Legislative drafting 1 September 2018
- In Parliament 25 July 2019
- Royal Assent 26 February 2020
- Completed 26 February 2020
Comments
This item is included in the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 2 and Other Measures) Act 2020 which commences on 27 February 2020.