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ARTICLE · 08 NOVEMBER 2024

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Australia | Design protection: IP Australia's bold reforms for the Digital Age

Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
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IP Australia proposed wide-reaching changes to the Design registration regime.

AustraliaIntellectual Property
Rodney Dabboussy
Rodney Dabboussy
Alejandro Vidal
Alejandro Vidal
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Following a review of the Australian design sector in 2020, IP Australia proposed wide-reaching changes to the Design registration regime and embarked on a public review of these proposals. A recently released paper from IP Australia provides insight to the likely changes ahead, particularly for virtual designs. We look at the key changes and feedback received, including IP Australia's subsequent views.

IP Australia Design Review

In order to better understand the main drivers of design innovation in design-related industries, and whether any changes to the current registered design system could be beneficial, IP Australia conducted a review in 2020.

The review showed that economic activity in design-related industries is substantial, yet only a small number of businesses held registered design rights. This suggests that the Australian registered design system is being underutilised.

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