Contents

Chapter 1--Introductory                                                                                                      1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 1

4............ What are the typical steps in getting and maintaining a standard patent?                3

5............ Associated applications ...................................................................... 6

6............ Deposit requirements ......................................................................... 6

7............ Novelty and inventive step ................................................................ 6

8............ Disclosure in basic applications ......................................................... 8

9............ Secret use ............................................................................................ 8

10.......... Certain international applications to be taken to have been given an international filing date 9

11.......... Act binds the Crown ........................................................................ 10

12.......... Application of Act ........................................................................... 10

12A....... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 10

Chapter 2--Patent rights, ownership and validity                                               11

Part 1--Patent rights                                                                                                            11

13.......... Exclusive rights given by patent ....................................................... 11

14.......... Assignment of patent ...................................................................... 11

Part 2--Ownership                                                                                                                12

15.......... Who may be granted a patent? ......................................................... 12

16.......... Co‑ownership of patents .................................................................. 12

17.......... Directions to co‑owners .................................................................. 13

Part 3--Validity                                                                                                                       14

Division 1--Validity                                                                                                      14

18.......... Patentable inventions ........................................................................ 14

19.......... Certificate of validity ........................................................................ 15

20.......... Validity of patent not guaranteed ..................................................... 15

21.......... Validity not implied by making or refusal of non‑infringement declaration             16

Division 2--Matters not affecting validity                                                        17

22.......... Invalidity in relation to one claim not to affect validity in relation to other claims 17

23.......... Validity not affected by publication etc. after priority date ............ 17

24.......... Validity not affected by certain publication or use .......................... 17

25.......... Validity: patents of addition ............................................................. 18

26.......... Validity not affected in certain cases involving amendments ........... 18

Division 3--Notice of matters affecting validity                                            19

27.......... Notice of matters affecting validity of standard patents .................. 19

28.......... Notice of matters affecting validity of innovation patents ............... 19

Chapter 3--From application to acceptance                                                           21

Part 1--Patent applications                                                                                              21

Division 1--Applications                                                                                           21

29.......... Application for patent ...................................................................... 21

30.......... Filing date ......................................................................................... 21

31.......... Joint applicants ................................................................................ 21

32.......... Disputes between applicants etc. ..................................................... 21

33.......... Applications by opponents etc. ....................................................... 22

34.......... Applications by eligible persons arising out of Court proceedings .. 24

35.......... Applications by eligible persons following revocation by Commissioner               24

36.......... Other applications by eligible persons ............................................. 25

37.......... Complete application may be treated as provisional ....................... 26

38.......... Time for making complete application ............................................. 26

Division 2--Specifications                                                                                         28

40.......... Specifications .................................................................................... 28

41.......... Specifications: micro‑organisms ...................................................... 28

42.......... Micro‑organisms ceasing to be reasonably available ........................ 29

Division 3--Priority dates                                                                                         31

43.......... Priority dates .................................................................................... 31

Part 2--Examination of standard patent requests and specifications      32

Division 1--Examination                                                                                           32

44.......... Request for examination ................................................................... 32

45.......... Examination [see also Table B] ........................................................ 32

46.......... Request for deferment of examination .............................................. 33

Division 2--Modified examination                                                                       35

47.......... Request for modified examination .................................................... 35

48.......... Modified examination [see also Table B] ......................................... 35

Part 3--Acceptance                                                                                                              36

Division 1--Acceptance of standard patents                                                  36

49.......... Acceptance of patent request: standard patent ................................ 36

50.......... Application or grant may be refused in certain cases ....................... 37

51.......... Appeal .............................................................................................. 37

Division 2--Acceptance of innovation patents                                              38

52.......... Formalities check and acceptance of innovation patents .................. 38

Chapter 4--Publication                                                                                                       39

53.......... Publication of certain information about applicants etc.
[see also Table B] ............................................................................. 39

54.......... Notice of publication ........................................................................ 39

55.......... Documents open to public inspection .............................................. 40

56.......... Certain documents not to be published ............................................ 41

57.......... Effect of publication of complete specification ................................ 41

58.......... Result of search may be disclosed .................................................... 42

Chapter 5--Opposition to grant of standard patent                                           43

59.......... Opposition to grant of standard patent ............................................ 43

60.......... Hearing and decision by Commissioner ............................................ 43

Chapter 6--Grant and term of patents                                                                      44

Part 1--Grant                                                                                                                           44

61.......... Grant of standard patent .................................................................. 44

62.......... Grant and publication of innovation patent ..................................... 44

63.......... Joint patentees .................................................................................. 45

64.......... Grant: multiple applications ............................................................. 45

65.......... Date of patent ................................................................................... 45

66.......... Sealing of duplicate of patent ........................................................... 45

Part 2--Term                                                                                                                            47

67.......... Term of standard patent ................................................................... 47

68.......... Term of innovation patent ................................................................ 47

Part 3--Extension of term of standard patents relating to pharmaceutical substances      48

70.......... Applications for extension of patent ................................................ 48

71.......... Form and timing of an application .................................................... 49

72.......... Notification and public inspection of application ............................ 50

73.......... Withdrawal of application ................................................................ 50

74.......... Acceptance or refusal of application ................................................ 50

75.......... Opposition to grant of extension ...................................................... 51

76.......... Grant of extension ............................................................................ 51

76A....... Notification of extension to the Secretary, Health and Family Services   51

77.......... Calculation of term of extension ....................................................... 52

78.......... Exclusive rights of patentee are limited if extension granted ............ 52

79.......... Rights of patentee if extension granted after patent expires ............. 53

79A....... Commissioner not to make decision if court proceedings pending ... 53

Chapter 6A--Divisional applications                                                                          54

79B....... Divisional applications prior to grant of patent ............................... 54

79C....... Divisional applications for innovation patents may be made after grant of an innovation patent           54

Chapter 7--Patents of addition                                                                                      56

80.......... Chapter does not apply to innovation patents ................................ 56

81.......... Grant of patent of addition ............................................................... 56

82.......... Revocation of patent and grant of patent of addition instead .......... 56

83.......... Term of patent of addition ............................................................... 57

85.......... Revocation of patent for main invention .......................................... 58

86.......... Renewal fees not payable ................................................................. 58

87.......... Fees payable where patent of addition becomes an independent patent 58

Chapter 8--PCT applications and convention applications                           59

Part 1--PCT applications                                                                                                  59

88.......... PCT applications .............................................................................. 59

89.......... Modified application of Act [see also Table B] ............................... 59

90.......... Publication of PCT applications [see also Table B] ........................ 60

91.......... Application of certain provisions to PCT applications ................... 61

92.......... Notice of publication [see also Table B] .......................................... 61

93.......... Evidence of matters arising under PCT ............................................ 62

Part 2--Convention applications                                                                                   63

94.......... Convention applicants may make Convention applications ............ 63

95.......... Manner of making Convention application ...................................... 63

96.......... Withdrawn, abandoned or refused applications .............................. 63

Chapter 9--Re‑examination of standard patents                                                65

96A....... Chapter does not apply to innovation patents ................................ 65

97.......... Re‑examination of complete specifications ...................................... 65

98.......... Report on re‑examination ................................................................. 66

99.......... Statement by applicant or patentee .................................................. 66

100........ Copies of report to be given to court ............................................... 66

100A..... Refusal to grant patent--re‑examination before grant ...................... 66

101........ Revocation of patent--re‑examination after grant ............................ 67

Chapter 9A--Examination, re‑examination and opposition‑innovation patents       68

Part 1--Examination of innovation patents                                                             68

101A..... Examination may be requested or Commissioner may decide to examine                68

101B..... Examination of an innovation patent ................................................ 68

101C..... How and when examination to be carried out ................................... 69

101D..... Commissioner to be given information on searches .......................... 70

101E...... Certificate of examination ................................................................. 70

101F...... Revocation of innovation patents following examination under section 101B         71

Part 2--Re‑examination of innovation patents                                                     72

101G..... Re‑examination of complete specifications of innovation patents ... 72

101H..... Patentee statements .......................................................................... 72

101J...... Revocation of innovation patent following re‑examination .............. 73

101K..... Relevant proceedings and re‑examination ......................................... 73

101L...... Copies of report to be given to court ............................................... 74

Part 3--Opposition to innovation patents                                                                75

101M.... Opposition to innovation patent ...................................................... 75

101N..... Hearing and decision by the Commissioner ...................................... 75

101P...... Relevant proceedings and opposition ............................................... 76

Chapter 10--Amendments                                                                                                77

Part 1--Amendments that are not allowable                                                          77

102........ What amendments are not allowable? ............................................... 77

103........ Consent of mortgagee or exclusive licensee needed .......................... 78

Part 2--Amendments of patent requests, specifications and other filed documents             79

104........ Amendments by applicants and patentees ....................................... 79

105........ Amendments directed by court ........................................................ 80

106........ Amendments directed by Commissioner: patents ............................ 80

107........ Amendments directed by Commissioner: applications for standard patents          81

109........ Appeal .............................................................................................. 82

Part 3--Miscellaneous                                                                                                        83

110........ Advertisement of amendment of complete specification ................. 83

112........ Pending proceedings ......................................................................... 83

113........ Persons claiming under assignment or agreement ............................. 83

114........ Priority date of certain amended claims ............................................ 83

114A..... Objection cannot be taken to certain amended claims ...................... 84

115........ Restriction on recovery of damages etc. ........................................... 84

116........ Interpretation of amended specifications ......................................... 84

Chapter 11--Infringement                                                                                                85

Part 1--Infringement and infringement proceedings                                         85

117........ Infringement by supply of products ................................................ 85

118........ Infringement exemptions: use in or on foreign vessels, aircraft or vehicles              85

119........ Infringement exemptions: prior use .................................................. 86

119A..... Infringement exemptions: acts for obtaining regulatory approval of pharmaceuticals             87

120........ Infringement proceedings .................................................................. 88

121........ Counter‑claim for revocation of patent ............................................ 89

121A..... Burden of proof--infringement of patent for a process ................... 89

122........ Relief for infringement of patent ...................................................... 90

123........ Innocent infringement ....................................................................... 90

Part 2--Non‑infringement declarations                                                                     92

124........ Interpretation .................................................................................... 92

125........ Application for non‑infringement declaration .................................. 92

126........ Proceedings for non‑infringement declarations ................................. 92

127........ Effect of non‑infringement declarations ............................................ 93

Part 3--Unjustified threats of infringement proceedings                                94

128........ Application for relief from unjustified threats ................................. 94

129........ Court's power to grant relief if threats related to a standard patent or standard patent application       94

129A..... Threats related to an innovation patent application or innovation patent and court's power to grant relief           94

130........ Counter‑claim for infringement ......................................................... 95

131........ Notification of patent not a threat .................................................... 96

132........ Liability of legal practitioner or patent attorney .............................. 96

Chapter 12--Compulsory licences and revocation of patents                      97

133........ Compulsory licences ........................................................................ 97

134........ Revocation of patent after grant of compulsory licence ................... 99

135........ Reasonable requirements of the public ............................................. 99

136........ Orders to be consistent with international agreements ................... 100

136A..... Dealing with allegation of contravention of application law .......... 100

137........ Revocation on surrender of patent ................................................. 100

138........ Revocation of patents in other circumstances ................................ 101

139........ Parties to proceedings ..................................................................... 101

140........ Commissioner to be given copies of orders .................................... 102

Chapter 13--Withdrawal and lapsing of applications and ceasing of patents           103

141........ Withdrawal of applications [see also Table B] .............................. 103

142........ Lapsing of applications [see also Table B] .................................... 103

143........ Ceasing of patents .......................................................................... 104

143A..... Ceasing of innovation patents ........................................................ 104

143B..... Payment of fees .............................................................................. 104

Chapter 14--Contracts                                                                                                     105

144........ Void conditions ............................................................................... 105

145........ Termination of contract after patent ceases to be in force ............. 106

146........ Effect of Chapter ............................................................................ 106

Chapter 15--Special provisions relating to associated technology         107

147........ Certificate by Director as to associated technology ....................... 107

148........ Lapsing etc. of applications ............................................................ 107

149........ Revocation of direction ................................................................... 108

150........ Restoration of lapsed application ................................................... 108

151........ Reinstatement of application as an international application ......... 109

152........ Notice of prohibitions or restrictions on publication ..................... 110

153........ Effect of order ................................................................................. 110

Chapter 16--Jurisdiction and powers of courts                                                  112

154........ Jurisdiction of Federal Court .......................................................... 112

155........ Jurisdiction of other prescribed courts ........................................... 112

156........ Exercise of jurisdiction .................................................................... 112

157........ Transfer of proceedings .................................................................. 113

158........ Appeals .......................................................................................... 113

159........ Commissioner may appear in appeals ............................................ 113

160........ Powers of Federal Court ................................................................. 114

Chapter 17--The Crown                                                                                                  115

Part 1--Introductory                                                                                                          115

161........ Nominated persons and patentees .................................................. 115

162........ Commonwealth and State authorities ............................................. 115

Part 2--Exploitation by the Crown                                                                             116

163........ Exploitation of inventions by Crown ............................................. 116

164........ Nominated person or patentee to be informed of exploitation ....... 116

165........ Remuneration and terms for exploitation ....................................... 117

165A..... Exploitation of invention to cease under court order ...................... 117

166........ Previous agreements inoperative .................................................... 117

167........ Sale of products .............................................................................. 118

168........ Supply of products by Commonwealth to foreign countries ......... 118

169........ Declarations that inventions have been exploited ........................... 118

170........ Sale of forfeited articles .................................................................. 119

Part 3--Acquisitions by and assignments to the Crown                                 120

171........ Acquisition of inventions or patents by Commonwealth .............. 120

172........ Assignment of invention to Commonwealth .................................. 120

Part 4--Prohibition orders                                                                                              121

173........ Prohibition of publication of information about inventions ........... 121

174........ Effect of prohibition orders ............................................................ 121

175........ Disclosure of information to Commonwealth authority ................ 122

176........ International applications treated as applications under this Act .. 122

Chapter 18--Miscellaneous offences                                                                      123

177........ False representations about the Patent Office ................................ 123

178........ False representations about patents or patented articles ............... 123

179........ Failure to comply with summons ................................................... 124

180........ Refusal to give evidence .................................................................. 124

181........ Failure to produce documents or articles ........................................ 125

182........ Officers not to traffic in inventions ................................................ 125

183........ Unauthorised disclosure of information by employees etc. ........... 125

184........ Other unauthorised disclosures of information .............................. 126

185........ Commissioner etc. not to prepare documents or search records .... 126

Chapter 19--The Register and official documents                                           127

186........ Register of Patents .......................................................................... 127

187........ Registration of particulars of patents etc. ...................................... 127

188........ Trusts not registrable ...................................................................... 128

189........ Power of patentee to deal with patent ........................................... 128

190........ Inspection of Register ..................................................................... 128

191........ False entries in Register .................................................................. 128

192........ Orders for rectification of Register ................................................. 129

193........ Inspection of documents ................................................................ 129

194........ Information obtainable from Commissioner ................................... 129

195........ Evidence--the Register ................................................................... 130

196........ Evidence--unregistered particulars ................................................ 130

197........ Evidence--certificate and copies of documents ............................. 130

Chapter 20--Patent Attorneys                                                                                     131

Part 1--Registration, privileges and professional conduct                          131

198........ Registration of patent attorneys ..................................................... 131

199........ Deregistration ................................................................................. 132

200........ Privileges ......................................................................................... 132

200A..... Designated Manager ....................................................................... 133

Part 2--Offences                                                                                                                  134

201........ Offences: unregistered persons etc. ................................................ 134

202........ Documents prepared by legal practitioners .................................... 135

202A..... Documents prepared by a member of a partnership ...................... 136

203........ Attendance at patent attorney's office ........................................... 136

204........ Time for starting prosecutions ....................................................... 136

Chapter 21--Administration                                                                                          137

205........ Patent Office and sub‑offices ......................................................... 137

206........ Patent Office seal ............................................................................ 137

207........ Commissioner of Patents ................................................................ 137

208........ Deputy Commissioner of Patents .................................................. 137

209........ Delegation of Commissioner's powers and functions .................... 138

210........ Commissioner's powers ................................................................. 138

211........ Recovery of costs awarded by Commissioner ............................... 138

Chapter 22--Miscellaneous                                                                                          139

212........ Copies of examination reports to be communicated ....................... 139

213........ Making and signing applications etc. .............................................. 139

214........ Filing of documents ........................................................................ 139

215........ Death of applicant or nominated person ........................................ 139

216........ Exercise of discretionary power by Commissioner ........................ 140

217........ Assessors ........................................................................................ 140

218........ Costs where patent invalid in part ................................................. 140

219........ Security for costs ............................................................................ 140

220........ Costs of attendance of patent attorney .......................................... 140

221........ Service of documents ...................................................................... 141

222........ Publication of Official Journal etc. ................................................. 141

222A..... Doing act when Patent Office reopens after end of period otherwise provided for doing act 141

223........ Extensions of time [see also Table B] ............................................ 142

224........ Review of decisions ........................................................................ 144

225........ Conduct of employees and agents of natural persons .................... 145

226........ Reproduction of published specifications does not infringe copyright 146

227........ Fees ................................................................................................. 146

227A..... Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys 147

228........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 149

229........ Consequential amendments ............................................................ 153

230........ Repeal ............................................................................................. 153

Chapter 23--Transitional and savings provisions                                             154

231........ Application of Part III of 1989 Amending Act .............................. 154

233........ Patents granted under 1952 Act ..................................................... 154

234........ Applications under 1952 Act ......................................................... 154

235........ Other applications and proceedings under 1952 Act ..................... 155

236........ Micro‑organisms ............................................................................. 156

237........ Orders, directions etc. under 1952 Act .......................................... 156

238........ The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner ............................. 156

239........ The Register of Patents and Register of Patent Attorneys ............ 156

240........ Registered patent attorneys ............................................................ 156

Schedule 1--Dictionary                                                                                                    157

Schedule 2--Consequential Amendments                                                             167

Notes                                                                                                                                           169

An Act relating to patents of inventions

  

  

Notes to the Patents Act 1990

Note 1

The Patents Act 1990 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 83, 1990 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

For application, saving or transitional provisions made by the Corporations (Repeals, Consequentials and Transitionals) Act 2001, see Act No. 55, 2001.

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 27 July 1998 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

The Patents Act 1990 was modified by the Patents Regulations 1991 (1991 No. 71 as amended by 1995 No. 16; 1999 No. 261; 2001 No. 98; 2003 No. 316; 2004 Nos. 193 and 395) see Table B.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Patents Act 1990	83, 1990	30 Oct 1990	30 Apr 1991
Industry, Technology and Commerce Legislation Amendment Act 1991	66, 1991	15 June 1991	S. 26: (a)	--
Industry, Technology and Regional Development Legislation Amendment Act 1994	58, 1994	9 Apr 1994	29 June 1994 (see Gazette 1994, No. S211)	--
Industry, Science and Technology Legislation Amendment Act 1994	108, 1994	12 July 1994	Div. 2 of Part 2 (ss. 4--6): 9 Aug 1994 Div. 5 of Part 2 (ss. 13--15): 13 July 1994 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Patents (World Trade Organization Amendments) Act 1994	154, 1994	13 Dec 1994	Ss. 4--7 and 12: 1 July 1995 Remainder: 10 Jan 1995	Ss. 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 17
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 1998	100, 1998	27 July 1998	Schedules 1 and 2: 27 Jan 1999 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (item 8), Sch. 2 (items 31, 32) and Sch. 3 (item 4) [see Table A]
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (items 728--730): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (b)	--
Patents Amendment (Innovation Patents) Act 2000	140, 2000	24 Nov 2000	24 May 2001	Sch. 2 (am. by 99, 2001, Sch. 2) [see Table A]
as amended by
Trade Marks and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2001	99, 2001	22 Aug 2001	Schedule 2: (c)	--
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 2003	48, 2003	26 June 2003	Schedule 2 (item 8): (ca)	--
Corporations (Repeals, Consequentials and Transitionals) Act 2001	55, 2001	28 June 2001	Ss. 4--14 and Schedule 3 (item 401): 15 July 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. S285) (d)	Ss. 4--14 [see Note 1]
Industry, Science and Resources Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	140, 2001	1 Oct 2001	2 Oct 2001	S. 4 [see Table A]
Patents Amendment Act 2001	160, 2001	1 Oct 2001	Schedule 1: 1 Apr 2002 Schedule 2: (e) Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 13, 32, 33) [see Table A]
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 2003	48, 2003	26 June 2003	Schedule 1 (item 2): 24 July 2003 Schedule 2 (items 1--5): 26 Aug 2003	Sch. 2 (item 5) [see Table A]
US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004	120, 2004	16 Aug 2004	Schedule 8: Royal Assent	Sch. 8 (item 3) [see Table A]
Statute Law Revision Act 2005	100, 2005	6 July 2005	Schedule 1 (items 31--37): (f)	--
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 2006	106, 2006	27 Sept 2006	Schedules 5, 6, 8 and 9: 28 Sept 2006 Schedule 7: 25 Oct 2006 Schedule 10 and Schedule 12 (item 4): 27 Mar 2007 Schedule 16 (item 1): 4 Oct 2002 (see s. 2(1))	Sch. 5 (item 2), Sch. 6 (item 2), Sch. 7 (item 4), Sch. 8 (item 9), Sch. 9 (item 2) and Sch. 10 (item 3) [see Table A]

(a)     Subsection 2(4) of the Industry, Technology and Commerce Legislation Amendment Act 1991 provides as follows:

                 (4)   The amendments of the Patents Act 1990 are taken to commence, or to have commenced, immediately after the commencement of the Patents Act 1990.

(b)    The Patents Act 1990 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 728--730) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.

                 (2)   Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.

(c)     The Patents Amendment (Innovation Patents) Act 2000 was amended by Schedule 2 only of the Trade Marks and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2001, subsection 2(3) of which provides as follows:

                 (3)   Schedule 2 commences, or is taken to have commenced, immediately after the commencement of the Patents Amendment (Innovation Patents) Act 2000.

         The Patents Amendment (Innovation Patents) Act 2000 came into operation on 24 May 2001.

(ca)   Subsection 2(1) (item 5) of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 2003 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

 

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Pro