On 26 March, Australia’s first public hydrogen refuelling station, operated by ActewAGL, opened in Canberra. This will allow fuel cell electric vehicles, as well as battery-operated electric vehicles, to easily operate around the Canberra region. This development urges a question on the current state of play in hydrogen-fuelled innovation to meet transportation needs. The decarbonisation incentive for hydrogen is well …
Maintaining Trade Mark Rights in China
A message we always convey to our clients is to remember – before you commence any business in China – you need to have your trade marks protected there. This is because the overarching trade mark rule that prevails there is ´first to file´ and unlike in Australia, it is not possible to use the common law defence of ´prior …
Matt Callahan – Life Sciences Executive
Matt is an experienced Perth-raised biotechnology executive currently based in Philadelphia, USA. He has been the founding CEO or Executive Director of a number of pharmaceutical and health tech companies including iCeutica Inc, Botanix Pharmaceuticals, Churchill Pharma Inc, Dimerix Biosciences, Emyria, Respirion Pharmaceuticals and Orthocell. He has led the development of four products that have received FDA approval and has …
Federal Court Finds Google Misled Users About Collection and Use of Location Data
In a decision handed down on 16 April 2021, the Federal Court of Australia found that Google LLC and Google Australia Pty Ltd (Google) misled some users of Android devices about the collection of their personal location data over a two year period. What Happened? The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commenced proceedings against Google in 2019, alleging that …
Get ready to ignite!
Do you have an idea or innovation that could become a high-growth business? If so, Curtin Ignition may be what you need to help make your vision a reality. Applications are now open for Curtin Ignition, an intensive training program for aspiring entrepreneurs, academics and corporate innovators to trial and prepare business ideas for the commercial environment. This year the …
Becoming a Magnetic Employer & Creating a Sticky Culture
The Wolf of Wall Street, a movie that portrays the real-life astronomic rise and downfall of stock-broker Jordan Belford, shows the incredible power of financial motivators. Indeed, the equation is clear and simple for Jordan’s money-hungry, oversized-suit wearing employees to understand: work your butt off, crush your KPIs and you get to live the high life. In short, the story …
Changes to PCT Fees for Australian Filers
Australian filers of PCT applications are set to receive some more welcome financial relief as the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) adjusted their fees for PCT-associated patent filings, effective from 1 May 2021. This follows a series of fee decreases over the last 8 months. International PCT Fees Fee Type Old Fee (AUD) New Fee (AUD) 1 Transmittal Fee $200 …
Innovation Patents’ Long Goodbye In Sight
Unlike Raymond Chandler’s 1953 novel “The Long Goodbye”, later adapted as a 1973 film starring Elliot Gould, the long goodbye from Australia’s innovation patent won’t be winning any literary awards. If the end of the innovation patent seems like it has been coming for a long time, that’s because it has. The Australian Government first directed that the now-defunct Advisory …
Key Results From the Australian Intellectual Property Report for 2020
2020 was a year like no other, but in the midst of it all, there was a great deal happening in the Australian intellectual property space, as shown by IP Australia’s Australian Intellectual Property Report for 2020. The report shows that trade mark applications in Australia soared whilst Australian standard patents dipped by 2%. The number of information and communication …
Australia’s 2021-22 Federal Budget – A Win for Medical and Biotech Companies
On Tuesday night Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the 2021-22 Federal Budget. That budget focused on what will be the Government’s core priorities for 2021-22. Amongst those priorities, specific focus was given to essential services, childcare, job creation, infrastructure, education and training, small business and the environment. Importantly, the budget also paves the way for Australia’s economic recovery following …