Australian Patent Overhaul Bill Aligns With Other OECD Countries

Patent reform legislation approved by the Australian Parliament March 20 establishes a higher standard for assessment of invention and innovative steps, provides for a new “utility” requirement that requires “specific, substantial and credible use” for a claimed invention and includes more stringent requirements for the scope and detail of disclosure required to support patent claims. Industry praised the Schedule 1 provisions, as well as ones that raise the standard of disclosure for provisional specifications to that required for complete applications and abolish the “modified exemption” and “deferral” clauses.
International Pharmaceutical Regulatory Monitor