News

AUSTRALASIA

7 July 2021

Validity and infringement of diagnostic method claims

Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc v Sequenom, Inc FCAFC 101 The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has confirmed that Sequenom’s diagnostic method of detecting fetal DNA in maternal...

Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc v Sequenom, Inc FCAFC 101 The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has confirmed...

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AUSTRALASIA

6 July 2021

The end is nigh: innovation patents closing soon – don’t miss out

As mentioned in our previous article, the innovation patent, Australia’s second tier patent system, is being phased out from 25 August 2021. Applications with a later filing date cannot...

As mentioned in our previous article, the innovation patent, Australia’s second tier patent system, is being phased out from...

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AUSTRALASIA

1 July 2021

Crowdsourcing: How is intellectual property important?

Crowdsourcing can currently be defined as “the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people and especially from the online...

Crowdsourcing can currently be defined as “the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from...

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AUSTRALASIA

25 June 2021

Spruson & Ferguson appoints three Principals and makes 14 new promotions for 2021

Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Principals across the firm as part of the 2021 promotions. The appointments were part of a broader group...

Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Principals across the firm as part of...

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AUSTRALASIA

24 June 2021

Ten top tips for engaging a software developer

It is absolutely essential, when engaging a software developer, to have mechanisms in place to ensure that the end product meets your needs. Will the software function in accordance...

It is absolutely essential, when engaging a software developer, to have mechanisms in place to ensure that the end...

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AUSTRALASIA

23 June 2021

Abolition of Australia’s innovation patent – 25 August 2021 is the magic date – here’s what you need to know…

The abolition of Australia’s second-tier “innovation patent” system has been well publicised and comes with a “magic date” of 25 August 2021.  But what does “abolition” really mean, and...

The abolition of Australia’s second-tier “innovation patent” system has been well publicised and comes with a “magic date” of...

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AUSTRALASIA

21 June 2021

Patent term extensions in Australia: Ono “first regulatory approval” decision overturned

Australia’s Federal Court Decision, Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, overturns the Patent Office Decision, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. et al APO 43,...

Australia’s Federal Court Decision, Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, overturns the Patent Office...

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AUSTRALASIA

17 June 2021

All in the name of… Barton: the difficulty of registering surnames and place names in Australia

The recent decision of NATOWatchbands.com LLC ATMO 31 illustrates the difficulty in registering surnames and place names as trade marks in Australia. Background NatoWatchBands.com, LLC (Nato) sought to register an...

The recent decision of NATOWatchbands.com LLC ATMO 31 illustrates the difficulty in registering surnames and place names as...

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AUSTRALASIA

16 June 2021

The Australian Federal Court says “Oh No” to the Patent Office’s interpretation of the first regulatory approval for pharmaceutical patent term extensions

In Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, the Federal Court has overturned the Australian Patent Office’s decision in Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd et al...

In Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd v Commissioner of Patents FCA 643, the Federal Court has overturned the Australian...

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AUSTRALASIA

16 June 2021

Trade Marks and New Zealand Prime Ministers’ Nicknames – AUNTY HELEN and JACINDARELLA

It is quite common for country leaders to be given catchy nicknames by the press. Some stick better than others. In the US, there are examples such as JFK, LBJ,...

It is quite common for country leaders to be given catchy nicknames by the press. Some stick better than...

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AUSTRALASIA

9 June 2021

Dead or Alive: Statuses, Patent Expiries and Kind Codes – Part 1

You've found a patent of interest but how do you know if it's dead or alive, and if alive, when it expires, and what exactly do those kind codes...

You've found a patent of interest but how do you know if it's dead or alive, and if alive,...

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AUSTRALASIA

8 June 2021

Descriptive trade marks – Registration is no guarantee of exclusive rights

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited v Community First Credit Union Limited FCAFC 31 The Full Federal Court has upheld the primary judge’s decision that Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited could...

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited v Community First Credit Union Limited FCAFC 31 The Full Federal Court has upheld the...

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