IP Australia is to celebrate the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) on World IP Day this Friday (26 April) by releasing the 2019 edition of its annual IP Report.
The report provides an insight and analysis into IP rights applications over the past 12 months.
IP Australia said the theme of this year’s World IP Day is Reach for Gold: IP and Sports, so it will be highlighting some of Australia’s top sporting innovations on social media.
The Agency said the thrill of competition, and the awe experienced in watching ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats, had fuelled fascination with sports for thousands of years.
“This year’s World Intellectual Property Day delves into the world of sports and takes a closer look at how intellectual property (IP) rights — patents, trademarks, designs, copyright and related rights, and even plant variety protection (think turf on sports pitches) — support the global sports ecosystem,” it said.
“IP rights encourage innovation and creativity in all areas, including in sports.
“More innovation and creativity in sports means access to a continuous flow of new ways to enhance athletic performance and our enjoyment of sports.”
It said innovative technologies, typically protected by patents (or as trade secrets), were taking sports to new heights.
“These technologies are transforming the sports experience from the training camp to the sports stadium to our living room, and are opening the way for new sports,” IP Australia said.
It said typical examples were footwear and other sports gear designed to improve athletic performance; developments for athletes with disabilities; and in a different category, the protection of trademarks, branding and mascots surrounding major events.
More information on World IP Day can be accessed at this PS News link.
