Innovation patents; Safe for now.

05/04/18
Grant Shoebridge, Convenor, IPTA Public Relations Committee

For several months, IPTA has been actively coordinating discussions between IP Australia, Government Ministers, the Opposition, cross-bench Senators and innovators from Australian SMEs, in a bid to save the innovation patent system.

Today, IPTA is pleased to advise that when the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 1 and Other Measures) Bill 2018 was introduced into Parliament yesterday, March 28, the section dealing with the abolition of the innovation patent was omitted.

IPTA is pleased with this development and welcomes the decision by IP Australia to undertake further consultation targeted at better understanding the needs of Australian SMEs, rather than fast-tracking the abolition of an important Australian innovation tool. IPTA also looks forward to a continuing dialogue with IP Australia with a view to reaching an agreement regarding retaining the innovation patent system.

We also take this opportunity to thank all members and their clients that have been involved in the preparation of letters of support for the innovation patent system.

Importantly, IPTA will continue to lobby to retain innovation patents. To do so effectively, however, requires more case studies from Australian SMEs demonstrating the benefits of the innovation patent system. For this reason, we ask members to continue to contribute to the momentum that has been building to retain the innovation patent system.

All queries can be sent to to Linda Tocchet (mail@ipta.org.au) or Grant Shoebridge (grant.shoebridge@ipta.org.au).
 



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