INTERNATIONAL PATENTS COMMITTEE

OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMITTEE

The objective of the International Patents Committee is to monitor  developments  of international  patent law  as it relates to and effects patent law and practice in Australia.

The International Patents Committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

•   Monitoring the activities of  the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) including proposed changes to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and assessing  and reporting on their potential or actual impact on Australian patent law and practice. Also includes reviewing  and reporting on PCT circulars, and monitoring the activities of the PCT Working Group and the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP).

•   Observing  the negotiations of the Australian Government on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, in cooperation with the Patents Legislation Committee, and making representations or submissions on behalf of IPTA to minimise, or avoid, the possibility that such developments will necessitate changes to Australian legislation that  will have an adverse impact on patent applicants and patentees (or third parties).

•   Monitoring Australia’s involvement with international legal agreements, conventions , treaties and standards, through communications with the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Commonwealth Attorney Generals Department and making representations or submissions on behalf of IPTA on any impacts such agreements, conventions , treaties and standards may have on Australian patent law and practice.

•   Keeping up to date and reporting on international efforts to increase international patent law harmonization. This includes monitoring and reporting on the activities of the Group B+, Industry trilateral, FICPI and AIPPI, as well as making representations, or submissions on behalf of IPTA.

•   Observing and reporting on significant changes in patent law in foreign jurisdictions that have the potential to impact on how IPTA members practice or advise their clients.

MEASURABLE GOALS

•   Attendance at consultation meetings organised by the Government or other bodies responsible for negotiating bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, or international legal agreements, conventions , treaties and standards.

•   Submissions prepared on behalf of IPTA and filed within deadlines provided.

•   IPTA Members informed of international developments which may impact on Australian patent law and practice.