Australia’s Innovation Patent Comes Into Effect

A new legislation introducing the “Innovation Patent” abolished the Petty Patent system. The Australian Innovation Patent falls into the category of “utility models” well known in a large number of Asian and European countries. The term of the patent is 8 year subject to payment of renewal fees. In order to obtain a patent that can be enforced against infringers, it’s necessary to file a request for examination. This request may be filed by the patentee or by any third party at any time even after grant.