Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

PATENTS ACT 1990 - SECT 55

             (1)  Where a notice is published under section 54 or under subsection 62(3), the specification concerned, and such other documents (if any) as are prescribed, are open to public inspection.

             (2)  Where a notice is published under paragraph 49(5)(b) in relation to an application for a standard patent, or under subsection 62(2) in relation to the grant of an innovation patent, the following documents are open to public inspection:

                     (a)  all documents (other than prescribed documents) filed in relation to the application or the patent, whether before or after the acceptance or grant;

                     (b)  all documents (other than prescribed documents) filed, after the patent ceases, expires or is revoked, in relation to the former patent;

                     (c)  copies of all documents relating to the application or patent (other than prescribed documents) given by the Commissioner to the applicant or patentee, or the former applicant or patentee;

being documents that have not already become open to public inspection.

             (3)  Subject to section 90, a specification, or other document, is to be taken to have been published on the day on which it becomes open to public inspection unless it has been published otherwise before that day.