In 2001 the Australian IP Office began accepting applications for innovation patents, providing an alternative route of protection to a standard patent, particularly for inventions with a shorter market life.
SInce 2020, the innovation patent has been in the process of being phased out in the jurisdiction, and as of August 26, 2021, such applications are no longer accepted by the IP Office. Any existing innovation patents will remain in force until the expiry of their 8-year validity term, whilst those filed on or before August 25, 2021 will be subject to the usual registration process. Continue Reading