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BOOK REVIEWInventions, Patents, | ||||||||
Web Publication by
Mountain Man Graphics, Australia
in the Southern Spring of 1996
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BOOK REVIEWInventions, Patents, | ||||||||
Web Publication by
Mountain Man Graphics, Australia
in the Southern Spring of 1996
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Introduction |
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"Inventions, Patents, Brands & Designs" is a book about the Australian intellectual property environment. It is written by a practicing patent attorney, but it is not expressly written for the benefit of practicing patent attorneys, although it might certainly be a useful resource for both practitioners and students in this area. The author has approached this publication as an exercise in the provision of information in this unique field of legislation, and has presented the extensive subject matter in clear and easy-to-read terms. The following section of text appears at the introduction to the book in the published edition of 1993:
Many times the author has been approached by a potential client wishing to patent an invention. When asked, 'Have you sold any?' the answer is often, 'Oh, yes! They're selling like hot cakes so I thought it would be a good idea to get a patent". Unfortunately these prior sales have 'robbed' the inventor of the right to protection.
Similarly, traders have come to the author seeking to register their trade mark only after some other person or company has begun to infringe (or copy) the trade mark. Whilst not in the fatal position of an inventor who neglects to apply for a patent before selling, the traders would have been in a much stronger position had their trade mark been registered before it was copied.
The frustration engendered by such situations is the mainspring of this book. The Inventor's Association of Australia and the television programmes relating to inventions have done much to make the general public aware of the great reservoir of talent in Australia. If this book helps Australians to become more 'industrial property conscious' as the writer hopes, then the effort will have been worth it.
A word of caution before you start. Because of the restricted scope and depth of treatment of the subject, the statements contained in this book should be regarded as general principles only, and not necessarily detailed statements of the law. Exceptions and restrictions should be borne in mind and your patent attorney consulted. Generally the worth or value of the idea or trade mark will merit this action.
The publication may represent a layman's guide to the subject of Australian intellectual property, but at the same time it certainly provides a technical specification of the field for students, researchers in the field. Both local and overseas researchers who would seek both general and specific information relating to the Australian intellectual property environment could find no better handbook.
In the following section of this review we will examine the content of the publication by duplicating the structural content of its chapters, for in this manner it will be clearly observed that the scope of the treatise is extensive.
Informational Content |
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The following reflects the extensive subject content of this publication, and has been taken directly from the book. In addition to information covering the following, the book offers a concise glossary of terms relating to key legislational concepts in the Australian (and international) intellectual property environment.
Further Information |
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This excellent book provides a clear explanation, able to be understood by a non-specialist, of the Australian intellectual property system. Originally published in 1993 the book is now slipping out of date but the discrepancies are very minor. For example the maximum term of an Australian patent is now 20 years (not 16), multiclass trade mark applications are now possible, and the Plant Breeders Rights Act has replaced the Plant Variety Rights Act. However, the practical differences are slight and the overall basic intellectual and industrial property system remains unchanged.
The author advises that a second edition awaits a revision of the
Australian Designs Act
which expected to take place about 1997 or 1998.
Cost per Copy = $60.00
Telephone (02) 9955 2264
Facsimile (02) 9955 2700
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BOOK REVIEWInventions, Patents, | ||||||||
Web Publication by
Mountain Man Graphics, Australia
in the Southern Spring of 1996
|