The ACCC will recommend improvements in a number of key areas such as safety standards, penalties and unconscionable conduct, in the upcoming Consumer Law Review to be conducted by Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand in 2016. The Consumer Law Review will review all aspects of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), including the general prohibitions on misleading and deceptive conduct, …
Part 2: “Working Together” as a core pillar of the Innovation & Science Agenda
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, …
Thickeners – not so obvious after all
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 …
Avoid going bust in the new Ideas Boom
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 …
The Innovation & Science Agenda released by Australian Government
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 …
National Innovation Statement Announced
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 …
Zen and the Art of Dislodging Frozen Charge in a Tube Mill
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 …
Unfair contract protections extended to small business – Legislation will commence 12 November 2016
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 …
Innovation in Australia: building a prosperous future through innovation
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’, …
How improved must an improvement be?
Author: Peter Caporn In a recent patent opposition before a Delegate of the Commissioner of Patents the Delegate considered the issue of whether an improved drill bit was different enough to avoid having been assigned with an earlier drill bit. The case of Orthopedic Innovation Pty Ltd v CPL Holdings Pty Ltd [2015] APO 71 can be found in full …