IP Australia is calling for ideas on how to improve the Australian Design Rights System.
In a statement, the Agency said it wants the Design Rights System to remain modern and accessible, drive innovation and deliver greater benefits to the Australian economy.
“Our consultation covers three topics. Firstly on virtual designs, we seek the protection of non-physical and active-state designs, including screen displays, screen icons and graphical user interfaces,” the statement said.
“Secondly on partial designs, the protection of only part of a product made in one piece, and finally on incremental designs, the protection of designs as they evolve during the design process.”
It said the changes formed the second part of a two-stage program of designs reform to enhance designs protection in Australia.
“As part of our commitment to providing Australians with a world-class design rights system, we’re progressing a program of reforms to ensure the Australian design rights system is fit for purpose and supports the Australian economy now and in the future,” the statement said.
“We’re consulting on reforms to explore how the design rights system could accommodate non-physical or virtual products and select parts of products. We’re also looking to provide flexibility for designers in protecting their designs as they evolve.”
Submissions close on 8 August with consultations on the IP Australia website able at this PS News link.
