Time is running out for thinking ahead - dealing with new Australian patent application requirements

Relevance of new Australian legislation to pending and potential Australian patent applications

As you will no doubt be aware, due to recent changes to Australian patent legislation, the patentability standards applicable to all Australian patent applications for which examination is requested on or after 15 April 2013 will be raised ( see link).

The new higher standards can be avoided by:

1. requesting examination of pending patent applications before 15 April 2013 (unless we have been instructed to the contrary, our default will be to request examination before 15 April 2013);
2. lodging divisional patent applications and requesting examination before 15 April 2013; and
3. bringing forward Australian national phase entry/convention patent application filing and requesting examination before 15 April 2013.