Australia's IP system in need of reform: Productivity Commission

Australia's IP system in need of reform: Productivity Commission The Australian Productivity Commission ('Productivity Commission') has released a draft report on Intellectual Property (IP) arrangements in Australia, recommending changes aimed at minimising a perceived imbalance between rights holders and the community. The proposed reforms cover various aspects of Australia's IP system, including patents, trade marks, copyright and IP enforcement. Broadly, the Productivity Commission suggests that Australia's IP laws should: • aim to encourage investment in IP that would not otherwise occur; • provide the minimum incentives necessary to encourage that investment; and • resist impeding follow-on innovation, competition and access to goods and services. While the Productivity Commission's recommendations will not necessarily be accepted and implemented by the Government, it is important that IP rights holders are aware of the issues under consideration, and understand how these recommendations may affect them. A summary of the draft report, including the key recommendations, is available here. The Productivity Commission is inviting submissions on the draft report by 3 June 2016, and intends to release its final report in August 2016. For more information, please contact Toby Patten or Matthew Dempsey.