What sort of practice?
- Our work reflects the variety of the local
manufacturing scene. Disputes over intellectual property are common. Liaison
with university research staff has been necessary for our microorganism
deposits.
- Initial, brief, no-obligation interviews at
Cranbourne are free. See the map showing our location. Discuss your game plan
with us.
- We have a successful working relationship with
solicitors who conduct litigation for our clients in the Federal Court.
- Our network of associates in those countries which
constitute Australia's trading partners, is long standing. We supply estimates
for the costs of overseas work in the IP field.
What can you do to prepare?
Do not release your idea to others before discussing
your position with an attorney.
Consider the size of your market. Consider who your
customers will be.
Visit www.google.com/patents. This site offers a search
facility where you can input words and receive a list of titles of granted
patents which may be relevant.
Questions concerning market entrants:
- If I launch my idea will I land on somebody else's
existing rights?
- If not, can I establish rights myself?
If you are not likely to supply the market with your
product or service in a big way to begin with, your liability will probably be
correspondingly small and the expense of an infringement search to answer
question 1 may not be justified. Most people who have ideas wish to know if
their idea is original. Searches frequently show that ideas brought to us are
not original but qualify as improvements.
Patent applications proceed in two stages, one now
and the next 12 months later. You have that year in which to solve any problems
faced. The first stage is "Patent Pending". After the second stage IP Australia
in Canberra places you in the queue for examination. You receive a report
listing earlier patents which the Examiner considers overlap your idea. We reply
to the Examiner and eventually your patent is granted.
Trademarks
Trademarks are a vital part of commerce. The goodwill
you generate as you trade has to flow somewhere. In the service business it
flows into the owner and staff; in a goods business into the manufacturer.
Bland, colourless trademarks don't help a business but distinctive trademarks
do. Which of the following would you choose? Tottenham Electrical Spares or Mr
Resistor™. Protecting trademarks is a popular activity. 1,000 a week are
accepted in Canberra. Care in the selection of business names and trademarks is
a business basic and pays over and over again.
If someone is using your trademark without your
permission, consult an attorney at once. Registering a trademark is relatively
cheap compared to neutralising unauthorised use by a competitor.
Registered designs
Intellectual Property (IP) Law recognises that some
products sell by appeal to the eye. A series of illustrations can be lodged
showing the external appearance of your product.
Copyright
Copyright has no registration system and consequently
no cost. Persons and businesses must be able to prove ownership of copyright and
complications can arise when employees or independent designers or joint authors
come into the picture.
Confidentiality
Your disclosures to us are treated as confidential.
Companies in Australia and overseas have trusted us with their commercial
information for years.
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