IP Australia and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) are trialling a new initiative using Web 2.0 technology to support the patent examination process and improve the quality of issued patents.
Announcing the trial, Richard Marles, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, said the opt-in Peer-to-Patent (P2P) initiative taps into the expertise of the public to identify information to help assess whether a particular invention is eligible for a patent.
“This 12 month P2P trial shows how receptive the Australian Government is to innovation and extracting the benefits of Web 2.0,” Mr Marles said.
“It makes good sense to use technology to add a layer of checks and balances in our intellectual property system so it can meet the challenges of the future.
“The initiative enables people to opt-in via an interactive website, pool their knowledge and contribute to the innovation environment in Australia.
“This approach has the potential to assist IP Australia’s patent examiners to find information relating to a patent application and will result in even stronger patent rights for innovators.
“P2P will be trialled in business methods and related applications. P2P is targeting these areas as technology develops quickly and the databases used by examiners for searching may not be as advanced as the knowledge of experts.
“I encourage qualified people from the relevant industries, government and academia to volunteer and take part in the trial.
“The community only benefits from a patent if it is truly inventive and taking an area of technology forward,” Mr Marles said.
IP Australia is the Federal Government agency responsible for granting intellectual property protection. More information on the P2P trial can be found at www.ipaustralia.gov.au and www.peertopatent.org.au.
Media contacts: Pauline Braniff, Marles’ Office, 0419 664 016
Peter Willimott, IP Australia, 02 6283 2282 or 0410 698 391