Changes to IP Australia’s Fees from 1 March 2007

The Intellectual Property Legislation (Fees) Amendment Regulations 2006 have been signed by the Governor-General on 13 December 2006 and will commence on 1 March 2007. The amendments result in IP Australia’s fees and costs under the Designs Act 2003 (Cth),Patents Act 1990 (Cth), Plant Breeder’s Rights and Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth).

According to IP Australia, the new fees seek to:

- implement a recent comprehensive fee review conducted by IP Australia as part of IP Australias Cost Recovery Impact Statement;

- provide some simplification and consistency across the fee schedules;

- update cost items (relating to instances where costs may be awarded to a party by the Commissioner or Registrar) to what is now considered reasonable;

- continue to implement a ‘whole of life’ cost recovery fee structure while realigning some costs with fees to ensure that IP Australia continues to provide high quality products and services; and

- maintain the on-going viability of IP Australia while keeping the prices of services internationally comparable.

The Official Notice to the amendments can be viewed here