1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PATENT ACT OF AUSTRALIA
The Patent Act of Australia was issued in 2012, which has undergone a number of amendments since its inception.
Australia is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and is a signatory of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Therefore, foreign enterprises and individuals can apply for a Australian patent through the Paris Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
2. TYPE OF PATENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS
The type of Australian patent comprises invention, utility model and design. According to the Patent Act of Australia, the patent administration department carries out a substantive examination to an invention. The duration of the invention patent right shall be 20 years, commencing from the date of application. A utility model or design patent application can merely adopt preliminary examination. The duration of a utility model patent is 8 years, and the duration of a design is 5 years, commencing from the date of application. It is important to note that, at present, the Patent Office may examine the novelty of a utility model appropriately.
2.1 Invention Patent
2.1.1 Concept and Description of the Invention Patent
According to the Patent Act 2012, the term “invention” refers to any new technical solution relating to a product, a process or an improvement thereof.
“Product” refers to all kinds of new products manufactured by industrial methods, including items with a certain shape and structure, such as solid, liquid and gas. “Method” refers to the method of processing the raw materials into a variety of products. It is not required that an invention patent can be directly applied to industrial production and technological achievements. It can be a solution or an idea to solve the technical problem, having the possibility of industrial application. However, such technical solution or idea should not be confused with proposing pure conceptions because pure conceptions cannot be applied to industrial applications.
2.1.2 Application Process of an Invention Patent
Similar to most of the countries, the Patent Office carries out a substantive examination to an invention, namely, examining the novelty, creativity of the invention patent applications.
2.1.3 Required Documents for Application
A. Written description, written claim, written abstract, drawings of written description and drawing of abstract.
B. Letter of authorization for the application of patent, which is required to be signed by the applicant or stamped (no notarization or certification is required).
C. Name and address of the applicant, name and address of the inventor, etc.
Notes: all of the documents must be submitted in English.
2.2 Utility Model
2.2.1 Concept and Description of the Utility Model Patent
According to Patent Act 2012, the term “utility model” refers to any new technical solution relating to a product’s shape, structure, or a combination thereof, which is fit for practical use. Same as an invention patent, a utility model patent also protects a technical solution. However, the protective scope of the utility model patent is comparatively smaller, namely, protecting the new products with a certain shape or structure merely. A utility model patent DOES NOT protect the method and the substance without definite shape. Comparing with the invention patent, utility model patent pays special attention to the utility of the technical solution, and the technical level of a utility model patent is lower than that of an invention patent. The utility model patent in most of the countries protects those simpler and modified technical inventions, which can also be called “small inventions”.
2.2.2 Application Process of a Utility Model Patent
Similar to most of the countries, Australia carries out a preliminary examination to the utility model patent application instead of a substantive examination. The Patent Office may appropriately examine the novelty of the utility model patent applications for improving the quality thereof.
2.2.3 Required Documents for Application
A. Written description, written claim, written abstract, drawings of written description and drawing of abstract.
B. Letter of authorization for the application of patent, which is required to be signed by the applicant or stamped (no notarization or certification is required).
C. Name and address of the applicant, name and address of the inventor, etc.
Notes: all of the documents must be submitted in English.
2.3 Design Patent
2.3.1 Concept and Description of the Design Patent
According to Patent Act 2012, the term “design” refers to any new design of a product’s shape, pattern or a combination thereof, as well as the combination of the color and the shape or pattern of a product, which creates an aesthetic feeling and is fit for industrial application. It is also stipulated that any design for which a patent is granted shall not be attributed to the existing design, and no entity or individual has, before the date of application, filed an application with the Patent Office on the identical design and recorded it in the patent documents published after the date of application.
2.3.2 Application Process of a Design Patent
Similar to most of the countries, Australia carries out a preliminary examination to a utility model patent application instead of substantive examination.
2.3.3 Required Documents for Application
A. Six-side views and three-dimensioned drawing;
B. Brief description of design patent, including name of product, application and design features, etc.
C. Letter of authorization for the application of patent, which is required to be signed by the applicant or stamped (no notarization or certification is required).
D. Name and address of the applicant, name and address of the inventor, etc.
Notes: all of the documents must be submitted in English.
3. WHAT SHALL NOT BE GRANTED
According to Patent Act 2012, for any of the following, no patent right shall be granted:
(1) Scientific discoveries;
(2) Rules and methods for mental activities;
(3) Methods for the diagnosis or for the treatment of diseases;
(4) Animal and plant varieties;
(5) Substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation; and
(6) The design, which is used primarily for the identification of pattern, color or the combination of the two on printed flat works.
