BUSINESS BRIEF: AUSTRALIA


before parliament. Te first requires plain packaging of tobacco products, removing one of the last remaining domains for tobacco advertising. Te second would reduce delays in the resolution of trademark applications, assist in the operations of the IP profession, and improve the mechanisms for enforcement involving customs seizure, offences and relief for infringement of trademarks.


Copyright Key challenges Te key challenges are ensuring correct ownership, assessing independent creation, and enforcement of rights. In the context of remedies, a valuation of either an account of profits or damages is also a challenge.


Protection against infringement Copyright is best protected through a comprehensive policing and enforcement strategy, including use of cease and desist letters and/or court proceedings.


Addressing infringement Sending cease and desist letters is oſten effective. Alternatively, infringing goods can also be seized by customs through the use of Customs Notices. Te associated costs, based on time spent and preparation of an initial letter, or draſting a Customs Notice, are from €500 (US $650). Should this be ineffective, court proceedings may be necessary, and a trial can cost hundreds of thousands of euros.


Legislative changes in the last 12 months Australian copyright law has been amended regarding certain medicines. Supplying, reproducing, publishing, communicating or adapting any product information will not amount to copyright infringement of the product information if the act is performed for a purpose related to the safe and effective use of medicines. In practice, producers of generic medicines may provide the same product information as that accompanying the original medicine, thus facilitating the dissemination of accurate information to consumers.


www.worldipreview.com


Counterfeiting Importation of counterfeit products remains an issue in Australia. Counterfeit luxury goods and pirated DVDs are commonly imported and sold locally.


Counterfeiting has now extended to other pirated products, including home appliances, goods for personal use or ingestion, medicines, and spare parts for machinery/cars, thus posing a general health and safety threat.


Anti-counterfeiting strategies Te best anti-counterfeiting approach is a multi- faceted strategy. Trademark and copyright owners should, for instance:


• Lodge Custom Notices of Objection based on their IP rights;


• Seek forfeiture from importers caught with counterfeit goods, and/or take these importers to court for infringement of rights;


• Conduct marketplace investigations/enquiries to identify, and take action against, sellers of counterfeit products; and


• Provide training to retailers who mistakenly obtain pirated products.


General Making life easier for businesses Te pending patent law changes are good news for international businesses to the extent that they harmonise Australian laws with those in the US and Europe. Unfortunately, however, the more rigorous examination standards, intended to ‘raise the bar’, will make getting a patent more difficult.


Australia recently signed the Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to deal with counterfeiting activities across countries. ACTA aims to set out international standards to strengthen protective measures for consumers from counterfeit products. ACTA is consistent with existing Australian laws


World Intellectual Property Review Annual 2012 111


and will not change the way IP rights are enforced in Australia.


Geordie Oldfield is a patent and trademarks attorney registered in Australia and New Zealand, and an Australian lawyer. He can be contacted at: g.oldfield@watermark.com.au


Ward Olivete is a US lawyer and registered patent attorney at the US Patent and Trademark Office. He can be contacted at: w.olivete@watermark.com.au


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