Current Developments - Australia (IP Australia)

Lance Scott and Martin Friedgut of Spruson and Ferguson note:

(generally)

  • IP Australia will no longer accept Bankcard credit card as a method of payment from 1 January 2007
  • the NSW and SA/NT State offices of IP Australia have moved to new premises
  • IP Australia has completed a review of its fees and charges and changes are available via the IP Australia website

(on Patents)

  • IP Australia has added a new e-form to the Patents On-Line Services section of its website for submitting Privisional Applications for a Patent.
  • PCT fees have changed from 1 November 2006
  • the Commissioner of Patents has decided to amend the relevant forms and reference material to remove the requirement for the signature block with immediate effect
  • The WIPO PatentScope Search Services facility has now been extended to provide access to Australian National Phase Entry data back to January 1998

(on Designs)

  • users with Firefox systems that are accessing the Advanced Search facility of ADDS have been presented with a range of errors given incompatability with systems

(on Trade Marks)

  • passages of the Trade Marks Amendment Act 2006
  • changes commencing on Royal Assent
  • changes commencing on proclamation
  • amendment to trade mark and design hearings
  • update to trade marks office manual of practice and procedure
  • the 9th edition of the Nice - International Classification of Goods and Services came into effect on 1 January 2007

December 2006 edition of Intellectual Property Forum


Related Posts