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Annual Technical Report on Industrial Design Information Activities in 2024 submitted by IP Australia

Please provide links to your website where the requested information can be found in English, French, or Spanish.  Alternately, you may provide text responses instead of URLs if desired.  If the information is not available on your website in an ATR language, then please provide text.

URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:

The term "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models.

Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.

I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of industrial design information activities and expected time frames for their realization

IP Australia’s vision is to deliver a world-leading IP system that builds prosperity for Australia. By administering intellectual property rights, we provide a key set of levers for harnessing Australia’s innovative potential and lifting its productivity, industrial capacity and economic resilience.

In 2021, IP Australia carried out research and consultation exploring Australia’s design economy, the Designs Reform Project (DRP). A significant body of evidence was compiled to inform potential changes to, and surrounding, the design rights system in Australia. Design Initiatives | IP Australia

Based on these findings, in 2022 IP Australia completed a first phase of legislative improvements to the designs system, including introduction of a 12-month grace period. IP Australia is now exploring potential legislative changes to allow a broader section of the designs economy to benefit from registered design protection. Possible changes include protection for virtual designs and designs for parts of products. Between 13 June and 13 August 2023, IP Australia conducted public consultation on the second phase of reforms. The Government will decide whether to proceed with legislation and further consultation in due course.

More information can be found in our Strategic Corporate Plan Corporate Plan 2024-25 | IP Australia.

  • New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies (plans) mentioned above, short description:  aims, partners, tasks

People + Technology + Efficiency Program (P+T+E): This program was established to explore opportunities for further innovation in a rapidly changing technology ecosystem. This program aims to keep IP Australia efficient, relevant, and flexible in how services are delivered customers and stakeholders.

Designs System Revitalisation (DSR): The DSR project is a multi-year initiative to revitalise the usability, accessibility, and functionality of the case management system for Designs, with a focus on the needs of internal users.

The work will increase efficiency in processes supporting the work of designs officers. It will also improve the accuracy and consistency of information for design rights customers. The project will focus on:

  • reducing or eliminating high consequence bugs, pain points and risks
  • improving staff usability
  • setting a solid foundation for data collection and governance
  • improving process and language to support IT implementation
  • improving internal processing of designs registration, examination, certification and amendment tasks
  • improving to internal processing and handling of designs oppositions and hearings.

Customer Value Program (CVP): The CVP program closed June 2024. The CVP aimed to transform IP Australia’s internal processes and capabilities and align them to a customer-centric and delivery-focused model. The program has delivered efficiencies for end-to-end IP rights administration and improved engagement and satisfaction for IP Australia’s customers by delivering a more modern, practical and informative corporate website, a modern and effective correspondence, streamlined and efficient processes and services for customers, and digital experience personalisation and maturity. Specifically, key deliverables included:

  • Correspondence refresh: a full revitalisation of IP Australia’s official correspondence. Redesigning and modernising our previous templates while improving functionality.
  • A new corporate website: uplifting and creating a new corporate website with updated and modern branding. This also included improving our customer journeys and information offerings based on a lot of customer testing and feedback.
  • Navigational improvements to the online services portal: customer feedback driven changes to our online services navigation, with the offering of a new navigational menu.
  • The online services dashboard improvements for self-filers: a customised dashboard to assist our small filers.
  • Main areas of industrial design information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year

Refer to above.

  • Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to previous year;  trends or areas experiencing rapid changes

Item 

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020 

2019 

Applications 

9,583

8,776

7,869

8,123

7,172

7,462 

Registrations 

8,854

8,000

7,593

8,023

6,332

7,077 

Certifications 

1,474

1,540

1,241

1,377

997

1,001 


  • Other matters and useful links (URLs):  annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

Latest news: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community

Statistics & Australian IP Report: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/professional-resources/data-research-and-reports

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URLs

The primary form of publication of industrial design information is the IP Australia website. The main page is https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/designs.

In particular, applicants can access the search guide and information via the HELP button located on Australian Design Search:

The Designs Examiners’ Manual of Practice and Procedure is also available as a resource, which can also be accessed through the Australian Design Search: https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/designs

In part 2.2 of the Designs Examiners’ Manual of Practice and Procedure, Registration processes provide applicants with information on filing/ submitting applications through Online Services portal, the Business 2 Business interface or in paper form, either by post or in person: https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/design/registration-process

Applicants for designs are encouraged to apply via electronic means through the Online Services portal. If the applicant is unable to access those online services, there are other means including by post. A higher fee structure may apply in these circumstances.

  • Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

Registration and application bibliographical data is available via the Australian Design Search system: https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/designs/search/quick

  • Classification and reclassification activities;  classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification

IP Australia uses a system of classification based on the International Classification for Industrial Designs (known also as the Locarno Classification System because it is based on the Locarno Agreement).

Australia is not a party to the Locarno Agreement, but IP Australia still uses the system to classify designs as much as possible within Australian legislative requirements and restrictions: https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/design/classification-systems

  • Other activities

IP Australia provides information on the availability of a grace period protection for those who accidentally publish, or those who were unaware they needed to file for protection before disclosure. For example, a designer who unintentionally publishes a design on social media can still seek protection for it within the 12 months period provided it meets the criteria listed within the grace period provisions: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/designs/applying-for-a-design/grace-period

III. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Main types of publications in the field of industrial design information, outline of the content (industrial design applications, design patents, registrations, etc.) and medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URLs)

The primary form of publication of industrial design information is the IP Australia website. The main page is https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/designs. The content available ranges from design rights facts, guides and tutorials to the Online Services portal.

  • Official Gazettes:  main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online – (URL), etc.

The Official Journal is available online: http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/edesign/epublish/search_page.jsp? and contains the following announcements:

  • Applications Filed
  • Applications Registered or Published
  • Registrations Certified, Revoked, or Ceased
  • Amendments, Changes and Corrections
  • Applications Lapsed or Withdrawn
  • Assignment, Transmittals and Transfers
  • Extensions of Time
  • Renewal of Registration
  • Official Notices.

Offers of surrendering a design are not available on the official journal in the Supplement to the Australian Official Journal of Designs in PDF format.

PDF back copies of The Australian Official Journal of Designs up to March 2016 can be accessed at the following URL: http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/epublish/content/olsDesignPDFs.jsp

  • Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases

IP Australia’s Designs examiners have access to information (both not available to the public, and available to the public) via our Rights in One (RiO), a Pega system, and AWS S3 storage. IP Australia also uses WIPO Digital Access Services (WIPO DAS) information. The coverage of information available to examiners includes documents on the file that are not publicly available (such as information relating to before a design is registered or published).

The following information is both publicly available and available to examiners:

  • product name
  • status
  • priority date (including convention details)
  • filing date
  • applicant (ownership)
  • designer
  • any related designs.

The following information is not publicly available prior to registration, but is available to examiners:

  • representations
  • address for service
  • statement of newness and distinctiveness.

More information is available at: https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/design/publication-and-file-access--overview

In addition, IP Australia publishes the Designs Manual of Practice and Procedure at https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/design to assist with examination.

  • Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users;  conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)

Bibliographic data and images for registered designs post-1972 are available, free of charge via:

  • Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)

The legal status information of designs is available via Australian Design Search or via Australian Design Search API:

Since joining DESIGNview in September 2021, design information from IP Australia (including legal status information) is also available via EUIPO DESIGNview: https://www.tmdn.org/tmdsview-web/#/dsview/news

  • Other sources

No comment provided.

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office:  general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

B2B API channel: Allows professional IP service providers to submit new applications and manage IPRs via APIs: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/professional-resources/apis

Order Management Workbench (OMW): An internal web-based interface which allows formalities staff to enter paper-based applications and manually correct issues and errors with filings. It is a bespoke java application.

Rights In One (RIO): The primary business system for design administration and examination. It runs on a PEGA Case Management system.

MS Teams and SharePoint have been introduced as our primary collaboration technologies.

Online Services and B2B via API IPR application and management tools are cloud based.

IP Australia’s legacy systems have been moved off-premises and moved into offsite, commercial, shared data centres and high available containerised architecture has been applied to majority of critical business applications.

  • Hardware used to support business processes of the Office

IP Australia use commercial laptops with Windows 11 Operating system and MS365 office productivity tools.

IP Australia’s online and B2B via API IP Rights application and management tools are all cloud based.

Legacy systems have been moved off-premises and moved into offsite, commercial, shared data centres and high available containerised architecture has been applied to majority of business-critical applications.

  • Internal databases:  coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

The primary business system is the Rights In One (RIO) which runs in a cloud environment. The primary internal database is the Designs Register (which contains information that is not publicly-available).

Once the design is registered the information is available via Australian Designs Search. IP Australia also has access to the WIPO DAS to supplement the information available for internal use.

  • Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file:  file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file

Designs examiners at IP Australia generate search files from a variety of internally and externally available sources of data. Search information is recorded and stored via the Rights in One system referred to above.

The Rights in One system conducts regular automatic updates that will update and sync the search files generated by examiners.

Design examiners search the following databases and resources external to records generated by IP Australia:

  • the owner’s website(s) (if applicable)
  • social media platforms, where appropriate and particularly the owner’s own social media profiles
  • Google, and if appropriate other Internet search engines
  • where priority is claimed, the local IP office register, where practical. The Global Design Database or DESIGNview provides results across multiple IP office re
  • Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)

The administrative team at IP Australia also use the same Rights In One system for management of electronic records, administrative support and workflow.

  • Other matters

No comment provided.

V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Office’s library (if deals with industrial design information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries

All Australian IP rights records/documents are handled in accordance with IP Australia office procedures set down under Australian Law in archival and record management practices.

Australian Designs data is retrievable using the web-based Australian Designs Search Interface: https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/designs/search/quick

  • Publications related to different business procedures and industrial design information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.

IP Australia provides useful tools and information on a wide range of information related to intellectual property via IP Australia’s website (http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/) including:

IP Australia provides guidelines and resources on how to search existing designs in Australia and internationally at https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/design-rights/how-to-search-existing-designs.

  • Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.

Engagement activities are targeted into the following groups:

  • Government departments and agencies: Commonwealth and State based programs that engage with IP Australia’s target audience. These often use a Business Advisor network who have been trained in ‘Introduction to IP’.
  • Universities: early career researchers, undergraduate and industry collaborations, working with accelerator programs, undergraduate innovation courses, and higher degree programs.
  • Peak Industry bodies: industry associations that represent small and medium enterprises; providing objective information that can be channelled through the associations, leveraging any Business Advisor networks they have.
  • Direct: IP Australia provides webinars and resources designed for self-service on IP Australia’s website and promoted through social media and newsletters, aimed at the end-user/self-filer.
  • Indigenous: IP Australia has a dedicated set of resources including videos, fact sheets and a call-back service — Yarnline — to support Indigenous business owners engaging with the IP system (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKQCVnHG2m0).

Overview of primary engagement activity types:

  • Sponsorships and partnerships: IP Australia works with a network of partners across government, industry and university sectors to multiply messaging, leverage networks and embed information in these channels to uplift awareness, knowledge and capability in IP. Partnership activities may include:
    • co-hosted virtual or in person information sessions
    • live or in person panel discussions
    • bespoke articles published in partner newsletters and/or on social media channels
    • education links and materials embedded in partner websites.
  • Hybrid Presentations and Workshops (30-45 minutes): Live sessions hosted by IP Australia Public Education staff which include:
    • pre-sessions survey (to understand audience profile)
    • welcome and introduction
    • short, pre-recorded presentation by a subject matter expert (experienced IP examiner)
    • Q&A
    • links to relevant online education resources
    • post sessions survey (to understand attendee satisfaction and areas for improvement).
  • Social media and newsletter: IP Australia engages with our audiences via digital platforms to support IP Australia policy and consultation activities, IP trends and analysis report publications, to highlight and correct misconceptions and to educate. Platforms include LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and email newsletter (monthly).
  • Event attendance: Participation at relevant industry and government events for face-to-face engagement with small business owners and professional services individuals supporting small businesses:
    • trade stand/booths
    • A5 and business card size collateral with QR codes linking to online education resources
    • presentations and panel participation to demonstrate relevance of IP for business, IP within the innovation ecosystem, IP analytics for Government policy development, IP trends to support small business growth (success)
    • working with incubation hubs, accelerator programs and relevant conferences/expos, IP Australia provides information and demonstrates relevance of IP for start-ups and early-stage businesses
    • developing new content targeted at educating start-ups and early-stage business on commercialisation, exporting and IP protection for digital innovations/inventions.

Ongoing promotion is conducted via social media, email subscription newsletters and proactive message multiplier networks such as peak industry bodies and other government organisations.

IP Australia takes a strategic approach to engagement with small business by establishing a partnership network across government, universities and industry associations, leveraging their networks and the credibility they have in IP Australia’s target audience of start-ups and small to medium enterprises.

This year we are trialling a limited series of podcasts targeted at small business, start-ups and entrepreneurs. The 4 part series will cover:

  • an introduction to IP
  • an introduction to trade marks
  • an introduction to patents
  • a deeper dive into patents and commercialisation.
  • Education and training:  training courses, e learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.

See Hybrid Presentations and Workshops (30-45 minutes) above.

’Upskill’ is IP Australia’s online e-learning program that helps small business understand the basics of trade marks. This 5-step education program is designed to support self-filers in developing and submitting their trade mark application: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/business-resources/trade-mark-basics-course.

Please also refer to comments in previous section.

  • Other activities

No comment provided.

VI.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • International exchange of industrial design information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)

International exchange of IP rights information is publicly available using IP Australia’s bulk data products: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/about-us/doing-business-us/bulk-data-products

The Australian Design Search API allows you to search for Australian designs and retrieve data displayed on the Australian Design Search website. The API Developer Portal can be accessed at https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/professional-resources/apis.

IP Australia in engaged with the Committee of WIPO Standards (CWS) and participates in the development and application of standards for IP Offices to exchange data in automated, machine-readable ways. IP Australia is also involved in various non-CWS task forces, workshops and projects.

In particular, IP Australia participates in the Digital Transformation Task Force, which is reviewing proposed updates relating to trade mark and design rights in WIPO Standard ST.92, relating to the exchange of priority documentation.

  • Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to industrial design information

No comment provided.

  • Assistance to developing countries

No comment provided.

  • Other activities

No comment provided.

VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

Note: For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values: 

  • "Implemented";
  • "On implementation phase";
  • "Planning to implement";  and
  • "No plan to implement"


WIPO Standard ST.3: Two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and organizations

Implemented


WIPO Standard ST.13: Numbering of applications for IPRs

No plan to implement

The serial number length does not comply with recommendation. There are no plans to change this at present.

 

WIPO Standard ST.80: Bibliographic data relating to industrial designs

Implemented


WIPO Standard ST.81: Content and layout of industrial designs gazettes

No plan to implement

IP Australia is substantially compliant with ST.81 with only a few exceptions. These are not considered significant enough to consider full compliance a priority.

 

WIPO Standard ST.86: Processing of industrial design information using XML

Implemented


WIPO Standard ST.87: The exchange of industrial design legal status data 

No plan to implement

IP Australia has provided feedback on the events and how they map to Australia's designs system. This will be a good starting point if IP Australia decided to implement ST.87 in the future, but there are no such plans at present.


WIPO Standard ST.88: Electronic representation of industrial designs

Implemented


WIPO Standard ST.90: Recommendation for processing and communicating Intellectual Property data using Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

No plan to implement

IP Australia follows ST.90 only for external-facing interactions following WIPO Standards requiring XML.


WIPO Standard ST.91: Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images

No plan to implement

PDF-format 3D models and 3D specimens are only used as an aide for examination. 3D models and 3D images do not form part of the AU publication.


WIPO Standard ST.96: Processing of Industrial Property information using XML

No plan to implement

IP Australia follows ST.96 only for external-facing API interactions when for WIPO/IB consumption.

Other WIPO Standards Related to Patents

Note: Please list any other WIPO Standards related to patents (not mentioned above) that your Office or Organization has implemented, is currently in the process of implementing, or plans to implement in the future.  For each Standard, please indicate the implementation status with an option: Implemented, On implementation Phase or Planning to Implement. 

VIII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS








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