4511 - S - Regulation of agents conducting matters before IP Australia

This submission regarding the regulation of agents conducting matters before IP Australia is made by the Intellectual Property Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (IPC). [...] The IPC understands that the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA) has been in correspondence with IP Australia for some time over the issue of whether there should be greater regulation of agents conducting matters before IP Australia, specifically in matters relating to trade marks and designs. [...] The IPC considers that IPTA has raised a number of issues of potential concern about the current state of affairs in Australia that need to be considered fully by IP Australia, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. [...] The IPC does not at this stage seek to express a definite view as to the circumstances in which greater regulation of parties other than locally-qualified practitioners might be needed, or as to the precise form that any reforms to the law might take. [...] The IPC would very much welcome the opportunity to join IPTA and other stakeholders in meeting with you and other representatives from IP Australia to discuss the issues raised in IPTA’s letters further, and to explore how the problems that have been identified might best be addressed.