Following on from Tuesday’s e-newsletter regarding the government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, we’ve taken a closer look at a key focal point of the Agenda that centres on collaboration – ‘Working Together’. The ‘Working Together’ aspect of the Agenda focusses on translating Australia’s R&D output into commercial outcomes. It is designed to drive stronger collaboration between research bodies and industry, …

Author: Peter Caporn In a recent patent opposition case before a Delegate of the Commissioner of Patents a patent application by the CSIRO for a thickener (an apparatus for flocculation) with a unique feedwell design has been upheld and the opposition by Outotec Oyj denied.  The full decision Outotec Oyj v Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation [2015] APO 78 …

Author: David Chin “Welcome to the ideas boom” opens the Australian Government’s much anticipated Innovation Statement, which contains broad ranging initiatives to encourage innovation as a long-term driver of Australia’s economy. To promote greater access to venture capital, particularly for startups and the research sector, most of the dramatic initiatives seek to build a culture that embraces and rewards risk.  These measures include significant tax incentives …

Author: Frank Hurley The Innovation & Science Agenda The recently announced National Innovation and Science Agenda is a significant step towards providing tangible incentives to invest in innovative ideas and provide the necessary human and financial capital to grow and commercialise innovative products and services. However, most of the Agenda’s initiatives need to pass through the budget process and Federal Parliament …

There’s been a lot of discussion regarding the Australian Government’s Innovation Statement which was released earlier today. Key Highlights of the Agenda Taking the leap – investing in and financing innovation Working together – encouraging industry and research organisations to collaborate more effectively Best and brightest – attracting people with the right skills Leading by example – making it easier for business to trade and work with government …

Author: Peter Caporn Apologies to Robert M Pirsig, and in turn to Eugen Herrigel (author of Zen in the Art of Archery, upon which Pirsig played in choosing a title for his classic “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”).  There’s little similarity between this post and Pirsig’s classic of American literature, other than perhaps both sharing some exploration of …

Authors: Judith Miller and Bindhu Holavanahalli A Bill to extend the unfair contract protections of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) for consumer contracts to standard form small business contracts has now received Royal Assent and will commence on 12 November 2016.[1] The protections A term of a standard form contract will be void if it is unfair. The provisions apply …

We have just released our latest whitepaper titled, Innovation in Australia; Building a Prosperous Future Through Innovation. The paper is an outcome of the national innovation series held by Swanson Reed and Wrays earlier this year. Key findings in the paper reveal that, to become an innovation fuelled economy and sustain a prosperous future for Australia, three interrelated sub-structures, or ‘pillars’, …