IP + trade marks + patents in Australian Capital Territory
Trade Marks Act 1995 + Patents Act 1990 + Designs Act 2003 + Copyright Act 1968. Innovation patent phase-out, AI training data + orphan works reforms.
0
ACT-specific obligations
7
Federal obligations
Federal
Designs Act 2003 — design registration
IP Australia administers registered designs — visual appearance of products.
File patent applications with IP Australia
Patents protect inventions for up to 20 years (standard) or 8 years (innovation patents — being phased out).
Register designs with IP Australia
Registered designs protect product visual appearance for up to 10 years.
Register trademarks with IP Australia
Without registration, brand protection relies on common-law passing-off — costly to enforce.
Patents Act 1990 — standard + innovation patents
IP Australia administers standard + innovation patents (innovation patent system closing).
Copyright Act 1968 — record-keeping for orphan works
From January 2023 — diligent search + record-keeping needed for orphan works defence.
Trade Marks Act 1995 — registration + renewal
IP Australia administers trade mark registration; 10-year terms + renewals + use requirements.