In the latest chapter of the dispute between Bayer New Zealand Limited (Bayer) and Norbrook Laboratories Limited (Norbrook), Bayer has successfully defended an opposition to its Australian patent application for a teat-seal formulation used to prevent mastitis in cows Norbrook opposed Bayer’s patent application on the grounds of lack of clarity, lack of sufficiency, lack of support, lack of utility …
Changes to PCT Fees for Australian Filers
Australian filers of PCT applications are set to receive some welcome financial relief as the Australian patent office (IP Australia) will be adjusting their fees for PCT-associated patent filings, effective from 1 August 2020. International PCT Fees Fee Type Current Fee (AUD) New Fee (AUD) 1 Transmittal Fee $200 $200 2 International Search Fee $2200 $2200 3 International Filing …
Western Australia’s Impact on World Pharmaceutical Market
For Immediate Release Wrays congratulates their client Dimerix, a Western Australian clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on the successful stage 2 clinical trial results for their product DMX-200 for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. The trial results were announced 29 July 2020 and showed positive top-line results for a rare kidney disorder that often leads to end-stage kidney failure. Wrays, one …
Riding the Omnibus on the Road to Hell: An Update on Omnibus Patent Claims in Australia
The Intellectual Property (Productivity Commission Response part 2 and other Measures) Bill 2019 (the Bill) received Royal assent on 26 February 2020, resulting in the introduction of amendments to The Patents Act 1990 (Cth), (the Act), to include cross references to Section 40(3A) with the effect that Section 40(3A) is now available as a ground for refusal of amendments after …
Electronic Execution of Documents by Companies Is Now Allowed Under the Australian Corporations Act
Taking effect from 6 May 2020, the operation of section 127(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) has been modified by the Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No. 1) 2020 to temporarily allow electronic execution of documents by companies for the next 6 months after the effective date. The category of persons who may execute a document on behalf of …
The China-US Trade Agreement and Its Impact on Patent Law
China signed Phase I of a multi-part trade agreement with the US on 15 January 2020 (The Economic and Trade Agreement between the USA and the PRC). The Intellectual Property aspects are covered in Chapter 1 of the Agreement. As a result, there will be developments in Chinese patent law to bring the enforcement of intellectual property matters closer to …
Recognition for Wrays, IAM Patent 1000 2020 Rankings
Intellectual Asset Management’s (IAM) Patent 1000 annual patent rankings have just been released. Wrays is pleased to advise that we have been recognised as one of Australia’s leading patents firms delivering exceptional IP services with profound insight in patent matters. The IAM Patent 1000 rankings are regarded as the definitive directory for those seeking to identify world-class, private practice patent …
Back to Basics: Claims of Mineral Processing Patents and Infringement
When people think of patents it is typically with reference to physical products or apparatus as this provides an easy way in which to visualise the patented invention. Processes (or methods) can similarly be patented and such patents are used extensively in the mining industry to protect new mineral processing technologies. But without a physical product to provide a reference, …
But That’s My Idea – Isn’t It?
One of the most fertile grounds for disputes relating to inventions, and patents, is the question of who owns the invention or patent. We are reminded of this year after year as cases relating to the ownership of inventions come before the Australian Patent Office and the Australian courts. There are two considerations involved. Firstly, who is or are the …
Three IP Tips to Write Into the Opening Act of Your Startup Journey
As a startup, you have probably got a lot on your to-do list, from completing your MVP to refining your business model and planning your strategy. So where does intellectual property (IP) fit into all of this? Do I have time? Do I have the budget? And why should I make IP a priority over all the other important stuff …