Source: https://www.country-index.com/(X(1)S(y5inywqinzrylfx3ewqa1fmc))/country_surveys.aspx?ID=5
Timestamp: 2020-08-03 21:17:45
Document Index: 8235391

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Canberra, Australia (AU)
brandU Legal
IP Australia informs that intellectual legislation improvements came into effect on February 24, 2019.
The improvements include for example:
- streamline application processes and payment of fees
- change the period, that must elapse before actions of non-use of a mark can be taken, from from five years to three years
- improve Plant Breeder’s Rights enforcement measures and introduce changes in essentially derived variety declarations.
These changes are part of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 1 and Other Measures) Act 2018 which can be accessed here
Consultation on Draft IP Regulations
IP Australia informs that they are seeking input from interested parties about proposed changes to Australia’s IP regulations.
The draft regulations make consequential amendments as a result of the changes proposed in the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission response Part 2 and Other Measures) Bill 2018. They also improve and streamline processes involved with obtaining and maintaining IP rights and ensure Australia’s compliance with international treaties.
The Office invites to provide a written submission on the draft regulations by December 21, 2018.
Australia informed WIPO that its Office will not present to WIPO requests in accordance with new Rules 27ter(2)(b) of the Common Regulations because the Australian Trade Marks Act 1995 does not provide for the merger of registrations of a mark. In addition, in accordance with new Rule 40 of the Common Regulations, the Government of Australia has notified that new Rule 27bis(1) of the Common Regulations is not compatible with the Australian Trade Marks Act 1995 and shall not apply in respect to Australia.
More information on the notification here
New Parallel Importation Laws in Force
The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 1 and Other Measures) Act 2018 (the Act) received Royal Assent on August 24, 2018.
Part 1 of the Act amends the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) (Trade Marks Act) to clarify the circumstances in which the parallel importation of trade marked goods does not infringe a registered trade mark. Part 1 of the Act commenced on August 25, 2018.
Trademark owners will now find it much more difficult to prevent parallel imports coming into Australia.
The Act also includes the following measures in response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Australia’s IP system:
- Amendments to the Trade Marks Act to change the period that must elapse before non-use actions can be made against registered trademarks, from five years to three years;
- Amendments to the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994 (Cth) with respect of plant breeder’s rights in essentially derived varieties; and
- Amendments to the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) such that patentees of pharmaceutical patents with an extended term are no longer required to provide the Secretary of the Department of Health with certain data.
Source: www.klgates.com
IP Dispute Resolution More Affordable Now
On July 1, 2018, a specialist intellectual property (IP) list was introduced to the Federal Circuit Court system with the objective of providing efficient and cost effective dispute resolution for IP matters in a more consistent and timely manner. The initiative is intended to give litigants greater access to the courts with less risk and reduced costs.
Key points of the new IP list are:
- Court filing fees for initiating proceedings have been almost halved.
- IP matters will now be heard by a specialist judge with specific expertise in IP law.
- Matters are to be before the court within 3 weeks of proceedings being issued.
Source: www.kcllaw.com.au
Key Trademark Law Changes Drafted
The Australian Government recently released the Exposure Draft of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 1 and Other Measures) Bill (the Bill).
The Bill results from a comprehensive review of the Australian Intellectual Property system and the release of the Australian Government Productivity Commission’s Report on Intellectual Property Arrangements in Australia.
The Bill is the first move by the Australian Government to adopt the recommendations of the Productivity Commission. From the trade mark perspective, there are two key law changes that the Bill proposes to introduce:
1. The reduction of the grace period for non-use actions from five years to three years – currently, an Australian trade mark must have been on the Register for five years before it is vulnerable to attack for non-use. The Bill, if enacted, will reduce this period to three years.
2. Ensuring that parallel imports of marked goods do not infringe registered Australian trademarks – there has been some debate over the years as to whether the import of goods genuinely marked by the owner and then imported into Australia would infringe an Australian trade mark registration. The Australian Courts have been clear in recent times that such importation does not constitute trade mark infringement and the Bill will ensure that the Australian Trade Marks Act clearly aligns with this position.
It is expected that the Bill is finalised by May/June 2018.
In addition, it is widely expected that a ‘Part 2’ Bill will be put forward before the end of 2018, which will introduce further changes and adoptions from the Productivity Commission’s Report.
The ‘Part 2’ Bill will almost certainly include provisions that will allow the holder of an International Registration designating Australia to file divisional applications (currently available only to the holder of a national Australian application) – this has been listed as a priority by Intellectual Property Australia.
New Database Linking International Trademark Data
IP Australia has developed a single, internationally-linked trade mark database called TM-link in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Melbourne.
TM-link is a world-first platform that links trademark applications across countries and helps businesses search for trademarks across multiple jurisdictions.
Currently, TM-link includes trademark data from Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, and the United States.
It is planned to incorporate further trademark data from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, Japan, and South Korea.
Consultation on Proposed Legislation Changes Put on Hold
IP Australia informed on its website that the recent consultation on the Exposure Draft Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2017 and Regulations has been put on hold until after the Government has finalised its response to the Productivity Commission’s report into Australia’s intellectual property arrangements. This is because if any legislative amendments are required as a result of the Government’s response, two intellectual property Bills might be in Parliament at the same time, leading to great complexity and uncertainty.
New Search System Introduced
IP Australia informs that Australian Trade Mark Search replaces the current search system (ATMOSS). By searching trademarks quickly and efficiently owners can make informed decisions about their business.
The new system, Australian Trade Mark Search, introduces image recognition and machine learning technology that detects objects within an image and makes instantaneous comparisons across Australia’s entire trademark database. It also features advanced options including a real time search counter and the ability to text search across a range of goods and services.
Comments on Proposed Legislation Changes Required
IP Australia is seeking input from interested parties about proposed changes to Australia’s IP legislation.
The aim of these proposed changes is to align and streamline the processes for obtaining, maintaining and challenging IP rights. Using similar processes for the different IP rights would make the IP system simpler and assist businesses dealing with more than one right.
Interested parties are invited to provide a written submission on the exposure drafts by January 22, 2017. Further information is available on the consultation page here
IP Australia has been changed its official fees.
As of October 10, 2016 the official trademark application fee for online filing will be AUD 250 per class with pick list and AUD 330 per class without pick list. There will be no registration fee anymore. The increase of trademark application fees per class intends to partially offset the removal of the AUD 300 registration fee.
Madrid Fee Process Changed by IP Australia
IP Australia will stop collecting and forwarding Madrid Export fees under Rule 34(2) of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and will stop accepting select forms on behalf of WIPO as of July 1, 2016.
Customers will instead pay and file directly to the International Bureau through their portal, enabling them to interact directly with the office administering their request. In paying directly to the International Bureau customers can be assured the correct fee has been paid based on the exchange rate at the time.
For further information and to access the list of forms which now need to be lodged directly with WIPO, please click here
It should be noted that the process for filing new export applications through the Madrid e-filing system is still available through the IP Australia’s e-services.
Electronic Certificates for TMs Available Now
IP Australia announced the introduction of electronic certificates for trademarks via the electronic channel.
Electronic channel customer will receive their trademark certificates electronically. Non-electronic channel customers will receive a printed copy of their certificates on plain paper. The Commissioner’s name and signature will no longer appear on the certificates.
The Australian Trade Mark Register will continue to be the authoritative source on the validity of your IP right. A note to this effect will appear in the footer of the certificate.
There is no fee associated with issuing of electronic certificates.
New E-Filing for International Registrations Now Available
IP Australia informs that the new e-filing system for international trademark registration applications is now available.
The International Registration Process Integration (IRPI) is an e-filing application system for submitting international trade mark applications to the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The IP Australia eServices channel now includes access to IRPI, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) electronic filing facility, which offers the ability to securely apply and manage your applications for filing international registration applications (Madrid Protocol).
To find out more about the benefits of filing your application with IRPI please click here
IP Laws Amendment Bill 2014 Passed
The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2014 was passed by the Australian Parliament on February 9, 2015. The resulting Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 2015 received the Royal Assent on February 25, 2015.
The Act amends the Patents Act 1990, Trade Marks Act 1995, Designs Act 2003, and the Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994 in order to:
- implement the Protocol amending the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS Protocol), enabling Australian medicine producers to manufacture and export patented pharmaceuticals to countries experiencing health crises, under a compulsory licence from the Federal Court
- extend the jurisdiction of the former Federal Magistrates Court, the Federal Circuit Court, to include plant breeder's rights matters
- allow for a single trans-Tasman patent attorney regime and single patent application and examination processes for Australia and New Zealand, as part of the broader Single Economic Market (SEM) agenda
- make minor administrative changes to the Patents, Trade Marks and Designs Acts to repeal unnecessary document retention provisions that are already adequately governed by the Archives Act 1983
- make minor technical amendments to the Patents Act to correct oversights in the drafting of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012 which was passed by Parliament in March 2012.
New E-Filing System for Trade Marks Madrid Export Applications
A new e-filing system called International Registration Process Integration (IRPI) has been developed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in association with IP Australia for filing Trade Marks Madrid Export applications.
This system will cater for all new applications filed online under the Madrid Protocol. It is anticipated to go live on March 14, 2015. IRPI will be available through IP Australia’s eServices portal and will replace the current option which is located within the General eServices request form.
New International TM Application Form
IP Australia announced on its website that they have published a new Australian International Trade Mark Application Form. This form is for applicants who are electing to file a Trade Mark through the Madrid Protocol with IP Australia being the office of origin.
The form is an adaption of the Official WIPO Madrid Agreement MM2 Form, taking into account the specific requirements for Australian users.
General eService Introduced
On 31 August 2013, IP Australia introduced the "General eService" functionality to its online services.
This latest enhancement allows the ability to submit over 150 of the remaining transaction/service request types including amendments, assignments, extensions of time, opposition matters and responses to examination reports for all IP right types.
IP Australia is due to complete all inbound transactions in late 2013. To support this improved functionality, work is underway to develop a solution to provide these services during maintenance periods or outages.
In light of increasing customer demand for eServices, IP Australia anticipates considering the ongoing operational viability of the traditional transaction channels, including assist e-mail, over the phone payments and corporate fax. It is anticipated that a transition from these channels is likely to occur in early to mid-2014.
Apr 15, 2013 (Newsletter Issue 5/13)
Revised TM Law Amends Opposition Period
The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012 (Cth) (Act) came into effect on 15 April 2013. It represents a significant revision of Australian trade marks law. In particular, the Act seeks to strengthen and streamline the trade mark enforcement system.
The most significant aspects of the trade mark law reforms brought in by the Act are:
- a revised process for the opposition of trade mark applications with a strong focus on recuding potential delays (the opposition period is reduced from 3 to 2 months after the publication for acceptance in the "Australian Official Journal of Trade Marks");
- the inclusion of a presumption of registrability for marks with respect to descriptiveness;
- a strengthened customs seizures regime; an increased variety of options for the enforcement of trade mark rights; and
- an extension of attorney-client privilege to fully embrace trade mark attorneys.
For more information, please check the article of K&L Gates here
Source: K&L Gates, Australia
Amendments to Trade Mark Act
The amendments relating to the Trade Marks Act 1995 will come into effect on 15 April 2013. Some of the changes are:
1) Oppositions
- An applicant will be required to file a Notice of Intention to Defend an opposition to registration.
- An opposed application will lapse if a Notice of Intention to Defend an opposition is not filed
- An extension of time will be available to file the Notice of Intention to Defend
- New Section 231(3) will allow the Trade Mark Regulations to be amended to prescribe matters relating to trade mark oppositions including: a) Rules about filing and serving documents in an opposition; b) Rules about the amendment of documents filed in an opposition; c) The circumstances in which the Registrar may dismiss an opposition under the new Section 99A; and d) Provision for review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of decisions of the Registrar made under the regulations.
- A decision of a delegate of the Registrar in opposition proceedings may be appealed to the Federal Magistrate's Court.
2) Infringement of registered trade marks
Section 126 has been amended to allow for the award of additional damages in trade mark infringement matters taking into account matters including:
- The flagrancy of the infringement;
- The need to deter similar infringements of registered trade marks; and
- The conduct of the party that infringed the registered trade mark that occurred.
The penalties for offences relating to misuse of trade marks, including falsifying or removing registered trade marks, falsely applying registered trade marks, and possessing or selling goods with false trade marks, have been increased.
There have been changes to Customs Procedures as well.
Source: Spruson & Ferguson, Australia
New Transactions through eServices
IP Australia announced the second release of its eServices. eServices is a secure electronic business portal that allows to register, login and conduct selected transactions.
The following transactions are introduced with the second release:
Applications for all IP rights; TM Headstart applications; examination requests for patents; user administration for businesses.
All transactions through eServices can be paid by Visa or MasterCard. Transaction history can be accessed any time. Built-in checks, pre-populated fields and informative help text will assist in completing transactions easily and efficiently, saving time and money.
Over the coming months IP Australia will be adding more transactions and services to the portal.
IP Australia announced that the second stage of the fee review implementation has taken place on October 1, 2012. The majority of fee changes occurred on July 1, 2012, with the exception of new IP right application filing fees.
As from October 1, 2012, the official trademark application fee for online filing is AUD 120.00 per class with pick list. The official trademark application fee for filing (electronic or paper) is AUD 200.00 per class without a pick list.
IP Australia announced an increase of its official fees. The majority of fee changes will occur on July 1, 2012, with the exception of new application filing fees changing from October 1, 2012.
To access the new trademark fee structure, please check here
eServices Launched
IP Australia announced the launch of its eServices to register, login and conduct selected transactions.
In the first release of eServices customers can renew all IP rights, submit trade mark registrations electronically and pay for them online using VISA or MasterCard. New features such as the option to save your requests can be accessed as well. Furthermore, the eServices transaction history can be seen and the details can be updated.
The services and transactions within eServices have built-in checks and pre-populated fields to save you valuable time and help ensure the accuracy of the information.
New Business Names Registration Service
IP Australia announced that States, Territories and the Australian Government are going to introduce a new National Business Names Registration Service.
The new Registration Service will replace the current state/territory services, so that businesses only need to register their name with a single register nationally. The new service will be expected on May 28, 2012.
The new service will be managed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Changes to Trademark Renewal Reminder Notices
IP Australia issues the Renewal Reminder Notice on two separate occasions effective from May 20th, 2010.
This notice will be issued at 4 months and again at 2 months prior to the Renewal Due Date, if payment for renewal has not been received.
A new Final Renewal Reminder Notice will also be issued at the beginning of the 6 month grace period (when the due date for payment of the renewal fee has passed).
Legal basis is the Trade Marks Act 1995, in force since January 1, 1996.
Interpretation of the Trade Marks Act 1995 is based on the principles of "common law“, i.e. official and juridical decisions are rendered on the basis of prior decisions and judgements on similar cases comparing all facts and merits of a case and taking into consideration all different common grounds. The proof of infringement, however, is easier than in other “common law states”.
Australia is a member of the Madrid Protocol.
Trademark protection is obtained by registration. Non-registered trademarks can also be enforced under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 or the "common law" tort of passing off if they have sufficient public recognition. Enforcing a registered trademark is easier than enforcing an unregistered "common law" trademark, as the owner does not have to establish the public reputation of the trade mark or any misrepresentation.
Australian trademarks are also protected on Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Islands (NF).
Registrable as a trade mark is a sign used, or intended to be used, to distinguish goods or services dealt with or provided in the course of trade by a person from goods or services so dealt with or provided by any other person. Sign includes the following or any combination of the following, namely, any letter, word, name, signature, numeral, device, brand, heading, label, ticket, aspect of packaging, shape, colour, sound or scent.
The following trademark types are registrable: trade marks, service marks, collective marks, defensive marks and certification marks.
Protectable non-traditional trademarks: 3-D, colours, sounds, smells, movement marks, holograms. This list may be not be exhaustive.
The application is filed at the Australian Government Agency responsible for administering patents, trademarks, designs and plant breeder's rights (IP Australia).
Multiple-class applications are possible. However, additional fees are payable if an application is to cover more than 1 class.
Foreign applicants do not need a local agent. A postal address for service in Australia or New Zealand is sufficient.
The application process includes a formal examination, an examination of distinctiveness and a search for prior trademarks. If an examiner refuses to allow the registration of a trademark, the applicant will have an opportunity to respond to the examiner's report by providing submissions or evidence or both, as appropriate. For example, signs not deemed distinctive in the examination may be registered if the applicant can demonstrate that distinctiveness has been acquired by use. The applicant may apply for an ex parte hearing to be heard on the issues raised by the examiner during the examination process. As a means of last resort, there is also an appeal to the Federal Court.
The processing time from first filing to registration is approximately 7 to 24 months. The first office action is taken after approximately 6 to 7 months.
An expedited examination can be requested if the processing time is likely to cause serious disadvantage to the applicant. Expedited examinations will occur in 2 to 3 months. Applications filed claiming convention priority will generally have their examination automatically expedited.
If accepted for registration, the trademark application is published in the “Australian Official Journal of Trade Marks”. Full details of the application are normally available online from the Trade Marks Office database within 2 or 3 days of filing.
If an opposition is filed, a notice of intention to defend must be filed within 1 month of receiving the statement of grounds on which the trademark is being opposed. If no opposition is filed, the trademark will be registered following the payment of registration fees.
The opposition period is 2 months after publication for acceptance in the "Australian Official Journal of Trade Marks".
To oppose the registration of a trademark, a notice of intention to oppose must be filed within the opposition period. Subsequently, and within 1 month of filing the notice of intention to oppose, a statement of grounds and particulars must be filed specifying the grounds on which the trademark is being opposed.
The registration is renewable for periods of 10 years upon the payment of relevant renewal fees.
The official trademark application fee for standard online filing is AUD 250 per class with pick list. The official trademark application fee for standard online filing is AUD 330 per class without pick list, or for paper filing it is AUD 350 per class without pick list. There is no longer a fee to register a trademark.
K&L Gates, Melbourne, Australia
42 Claremont Street
3141 Melbourne
2072 Sydney
Ground Floor, Discovery House
Tel +61 2 62 83 29 99
Fax +61 2 62 83 79 99
www.ipaustralia.gov.au
Woden ACT, 2606