Category Archive

High Court of Australia refuses special leave to reconsider the patentability of computer-implemented inventions The High Court of Australia has refused an application by the Commissioner of Patents for special leave to appeal the Full Federal Court’s decision in Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Patents [2025] FCAFC 131. This brings a significant chapter to a close in …

Formulations are out, but are patent term extensions for certain API patents also at risk? Introduction In December 2025, the Full Court of the Australian Federal Court issued their decision in Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd [2025] FCAFC 161 (The Otsuka decision). It has been widely reported that the Otsuka decision makes patents covering pharmaceutical …

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) has announced that official fees for patents, trade marks and registered designs will increase from 1 April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. This marks the first significant fee adjustment at the UK IPO in several years – since 2018 for patents; 2016 for designs, and 1998 for trade marks. The increase in fees is designed …

Safeguarding Cricket and The Ashes Through IP In the highly competitive world of sport, the race to protect ever-evolving intellectual property assets is an ongoing contest, with sporting clubs and associates protecting everything from team names, logos, slogans, and trophies, to inventions used in relation to the sport itself. Cricket is no exception, and few symbols are more iconic (or …

How to Get Real Value From Your IP Advisor Most businesses and inventors meet early on with their intellectual property (IP) advisor to discuss protecting their idea. But the real opportunity lies in using that time to initiate and strengthen IP strategy, develop a plan to attract investment, and to crystalise their competitive edge. When you approach your meeting with …

Global IP Trends in the New Space Race The Commercial Space Boom The global space sector is skyrocketing, experiencing explosive growth as a second space race unfolds. Once dominated by government-led missions, the modern space race is now fuelled by private enterprise, venture capital, and bold innovation. Space is now big business with estimates the global space sector globally is …

A Win for Computer Implemented Inventions in Australia A Turning Point for Software Patents in Australia The patentability of computer implemented inventions (CIIs) in Australia has long been obscured in uncertainty. A complex raft of legal precedents has left patent applicants without clear guidance on how to protect inventions involving software and digital technologies. This uncertainty has now been resolved with …

How IP is Powering the Critical Minerals Boom Introduction: The IP Edge in Critical Minerals As Australian patent attorney’s working closely with innovators in the critical minerals sector, we see firsthand how intellectual property (IP) is becoming the cornerstone of competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving field. Australia is uniquely positioned to lead in the global critical minerals landscape. But …

Navigating intellectual property (IP) as General Counsel can be difficult. There are so many different forms of IP, each of which comes with its own complex set of rules and requirements. As IP professionals, we often see the same mistakes being made, from self-publishing inventions to inadvertently using copyright material. Rectifying these mistakes through litigation or a negotiated settlement is …

Australia’s Position in the 2025 Global Renewable Landscape Australia’s clean energy transition is gaining remarkable momentum as the nation seeks to meet its ambitious 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets. With climate change high on the political and public agenda, global energy systems are undergoing a fundamental transformation. This article examines some of the latest advances in Australia’s renewable energy …