Pipers Bulletins
Pipers issues a bulletin on a monthly basis providing a summary of recent developments in intellectual property law and practice in Australasia and other key countries and regions such as USA, UK, Europe and Asia. Below are links to articles in the latest bulletin. Previous issues can be accessed via the left pane navigation.
Contents Summary of Latest Bulletin
1. General
Kiribati
Kiribati Set to Become Member of Paris Convention
On the 5th November 2021 Kiribati deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention, meaning the Paris Convention will enter into force for Kiribati on 5th February 2022.
United Kingdom
UKIPO Consults Further on AI and Copyright and Patent Inventorship
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has issued a second consultation on artificial intelligence and intellectual property, this time focussing on what changes are required for copyright and patents laws in order to facilitate the UK being a leader in AI research, development and implementation.
2. Patents
Australia
Full Court Reverses Patentability After Prioritizing Computer Implementation Question
In Commissioner of Patents v Aristocrat Technologies Australia [2021] FCAFC 202 the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia (FCAFC) effectively set aside the trial Judge’s finding of patentability although remitted the case back to the Federal Court to determine any residual issues in light of its guidance.
New Zealand
IPONZ Patents Examination Manual Practices Updated
IPONZ has updated its Patents Examination Manual practices by introducing sections on restoration and extensions of time in exceptional circumstances and amended its practice on claim overlap between parent and divisionals following recent Assistant Commissioner decisions.
PCT
Forthcoming PCT Fee and Membership Changes
Effective from 1st January 2022 the International Filing, Search and Examination fees will change for most countries including Australia and New Zealand, and Jamaica will join the PCT on 10th February 2022.
3. Trade Marks
Australia
New .au Domain Name Extension Launching in 2022
Australia’s .au Domain Administration (auDA) organisation has announced the introduction of .au as a new top-level domain, which will be available from 24th March 2022.