Further Amendments to Australian Patent Law Coming Soon
Earlier this year, the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2014 (2014 Bill) was introduced into Parliament by the Coalition Government. The Bill represents a revised version of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2013 (2013 Bill) introduced by the previous Labor Government. The 2013 Bill lapsed when the Federal Election was called in August 2013.
The most significant aspects of the 2014 Bill are as follows:
- Introduction of a single patent attorney regulatory regime and a single patent application and examination process for Australia and New Zealand.
- Enabling Australian pharmaceutical manufacturers to apply to the Federal Court for a compulsory licence to manufacture generic versions of patented drugs to supply to developing countries. Read More