The Federal Government has announced a consultation on ways to improve the intellectual property (IP) system by reducing delays and complexity and better balancing the interests of innovators and competitors.
In launching the consultation the Government released a new discussion paper, Proposals to streamline IP processes and support small business, which outlines 22 proposals to align and simplify Australian IP processes, support small business and make some technical fixes relating to the regulation of IP attorneys.
The information provided on the IP Australia website, says that “some of the processes for obtaining, maintaining and challenging the four IP rights are overly complex or do not balance the legitimate interests of all parties. This creates costs for businesses dealing with the IP system, particularly small businesses which face compliance costs disproportionate to their size.”
“There are a number of administrative processes that differ unnecessarily between the rights. Others are more burdensome than they need to be or take too long to resolve. To address these issues, IP Australia is placing a high priority on aligning and streamlining processes, improving service delivery and reducing unnecessary delays. This will make administration of the system more efficient for users of the system, particularly small businesses, and for IP Australia.”
In launching the review, the Hon. Karen Andrews MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science, said: “Recognising the time pressures on businesses, those that need more time to provide information, or pay fees to IP Australia, would be able to use a streamlined process to obtain an extension, saving them time and money."
“Other proposals would reduce the time to complete examination of trademark applications, helping businesses that need to know their freedom to operate in a particular market.”
The review closes on 7 April 2015 and comments to inform the AusBiotech submission can be directed to Lorraine Chiroiu (lchrioiu@ausbiotech.org or 03 9828 1414).
More information on the proposals and how to make a submission can be found o the IP Australia website.