This decision forms part of an ongoing battle between
two Australian companies over patented technology for improving the
efficiency by which authorities monitor and manage access to public
parking. In this decision, the Federal Court of Australia provides
some helpful guidance on the approach to assessing whether or not a
claimed invention involves an inventive step (i.e. is not obvious)
under the current provisions of Australian patent law.
Background
Vehicle Monitoring Systems Pty Ltd (VMS)
developed a Parking Overstay Detection System (the POD
system), which uses in-ground sensors to detect changes in
the earth's magnetic field when a vehicle enters a parking
space (or bay). A message is sent wirelessly to a device carried by
a parking officer who can then issue an infringement notice, as
required.
