Annual Technical Report on Trademark 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:

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

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of trademark 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.

Trade mark applications for 2024 increased by 2.8% on their level in 2023, which is a record volume exceeded only by filings in 2021. Trade mark registrations grew by 6.6%, correcting a slight decline in 2023. This suggests a positive impact from IP Australia’s recent focus on improving services to our customers with tools to help them avoid mistakes in their applications.

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 and 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. The P+T+E Program comprises four projects; one of these projects involved a discovery and ideation process, to identify new AI use cases for patent and trade mark application processing and examination. The program also involved oversight of implementing our whole-of-government requirements for responsible AI use.

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, some of the 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 trademark information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year

IP Australia’s internal administrative system for trade marks Rights In One (RIO) electronically receives, processes and monitors IP right cases and their related customer interactions. The system includes document management, correspondence generation and decision support functionality which span a complex array of quasi-legal business processes unique to the IP system. RIO is in a continuous improvement stage, with high level backlog items being delivered each year, along with continuous improvement user prioritised sprints fixing bugs and delivering value to users.

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

Applications filed at IP Australia

Year

Domestic
(non-Madrid)

International
(non-Madrid)

Madrid

Total

2024

48,582

20,943

16,420

85,945

2023

49,036

16,883

18,557

84,476

2022

44,647

14,598

19,589

78,833

2021

53,345

15,844

19,620

88,738

2020

51,663

13,208

16,881

81,708


Applications registered at IP Australia

Year

Domestic
(non-Madrid)

International
(non-Madrid)

Madrid

Total

2024

35,925

16,202

14,854

66,981

2023

33,933

12,520

16,372

62,825

2022

38,093

13,275

18,346

69,716

2021

40,289

12,804

17,518

70,595

2020

34,999

11,938

17,147

64,087


In 2024, trade mark applications filed in Australia increased by 2.8% on their level in 2023. The total for 2024 is exceeded only by the record filing volume in 2021. Trade mark registrations grew by 6.6% (to 66,981 in total), correcting from a slight decline in 2023, and remain elevated above pre-pandemic levels. Further details will be found in IP Australia’s 2025 IP Report, available at https://ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/professional-resources/data-research-and-reports.

  • 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/news

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

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK 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

IP Australia provides information on its website to support applicants filing. If required, IP Australia provides further support through our contact centre or online enquiry channels: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/trade-marks/how-to-apply-for-a-trade-mark

  • Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

Trade Mark Search system: https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/search/quick

  • Matters concerning classifying        
    • Classification and reclassification activities; classification systems used, e.g., International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification), International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (Vienna Classification), other classification
    • Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied

Australia classifies goods and services according to the Nice Classification. Australia updated the 12th Edition of Nice (2024 Update), with all applications filed on or after that date being classified according to the 12th Edition.

Applicants are encouraged but not obliged to use pre-defined classification terms. Checking of goods or services statements is performed manually where the statement is free text furnished by the applicant.

An online form (e-form) allows applicants to choose from a pre-defined selection of classification goods/services terms (the Pick-list) relating to a trade mark application, or otherwise specify their own goods/services. In 2024, IP Australia aligned the Australian Pick-list to the WIPO Madrid Goods and Services list. Approximately 61% of electronic filers use the Pick-list functionality. Goods and services statements provided via the Pick-list functionality do not require manual checking.

Australia does not use the Vienna Classification scheme to classify the figurative elements of marks. Rather, figurative elements are classified (and searched) according to a glossary of device terms developed by the Office. For example, the WIPO device is indexed as follows:

1 ANNULUS

2 CONCENTRIC

3 HAND

4 PEN

5 BOOK,OPEN

6 GRAIN,EAR

7 VIOLIN

8 WHEEL,GEAR

9 MUSICAL-INSTRUMENT

10 CIRCLE+

11 ROUND

12 ROUND+

Each device term may then be used as a search criterion, either singularly or in combination, in order to locate marks with similar device characteristics.

  • Matters concerning processing of different types of non-traditional marks (e.g., three-dimensional, motion, hologram, color mark, etc.)

No comment provided.

  • Other activities

No comment provided.

III. SOURCES OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Information on the following topics is desired:

  • Main types of publications in the field of trademark information, outline of the content and medium (on paper, on CDs, online – URLs)

The Australian Trade Mark Search (ATMS) is available online, free of charge, via the IP Australia website (https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/search/quick) and contains both bibliographic text and images. ATMS recently replaced the Official Journal of Trade Marks and makes information available in a flexible, modern and user-friendly way, while preventing potential confusion and reduce redundancies. ATMS is a more reliable, searchable and up-to-date single source of information for crucial dates and other required information relating to trade marks.

Other general trade mark information is generally made available on IP Australia’s website, for example as an Official Notice or a non-legislative instrument:

Examination Reports are generated electronically and are issued to customers online via IP Australia’s online portal: https://portal.ipaustralia.gov.au/login

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

Since November 2024, a daily PDF publication of the Australian Official Journal of Trade Marks is no longer produced. Trade mark publications are available at any time from their date of publication using the “Advanced” search within ATMS. A "History and Publications" summary is available for each mark.

Prior to November 2024, the Australian Official Journal of Trade Marks published daily updates of filings, acceptances and registrations. Editions dating from 12 November 2018 to 31 October 2024 are available here: https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/journals. Weekly journals published before 12 November 2018 are available for download in PDF format (https://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/epublish/content/olsTrademarkPDFs.jsp).

Information categories include:

  • Applications Filed;
  • Applications Accepted for Registration;
  • Amendments, Changes and Corrections;
  • Applications Lapsed, Withdrawn and Refused;
  • Trade marks Registered;
  • Assignments, Transmittals and Transfers;
  • Cancellation of Entries in Register;
  • Extensions of Time;
  • Renewal of Registration of trade marks; and
  • Opposition Proceedings.

The IP Australia website also provides access to a variety of forms and publications, including IP legislation, official notices, hearings decisions, practice & procedure manuals, etc.

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

The primary business system used by trade mark examiners is Rights in One (RIO). This system maintains the data relating to trade marks, including bibliographic data and documents, and is used for electronically receiving, processing and monitoring IP right cases and their related customer interactions.

Once a trade mark is indexed, an examination task is created and assigned to a queue for examination. This task is used to launch the examination dashboard, where substantive examination is performed.

The examination dashboard is a suite of specialist tools for trade mark examiners that allow them to manage their own search and research work in support of their examination decisions. The tools include a new trade mark search system optimised for the needs of examiners, some automated research tools that inform examiners about facts of the trade mark (geographical location, dictionary meaning, common surname, etc.), tools to capture internet research, assess whether goods and services are acceptable, and allow examiners to raise objections and capture objection reasons in a ‘case based’ dashboard.

Correspondence is created within the examination task. RIO retrieves any issues identified during examination from the examination dashboard and prepares the appropriate template for examiners to author.

IP Australia publishes the Trade Marks Manual of Practice and Procedure at https://manuals.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademark 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.)

The following databases and information are available through the IP Australia and the Australian Government Data website:

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

Australian Trade Mark Search (ATMS) is used by external users to search for trade marks and their bibliographic information, including legal status information. It is free of charge and is not subscription based.

  • Other sources

No comment provided.

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK 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

Online Application portal: An interactive cloud-based website designed for self-filers to file applications and manger existing IPRs: https://portal.ipaustralia.gov.au/login

B2B API channel: Allows professional IP service providers to submit 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 purpose-built java application.

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

Madrid e-filing: WIPO’s online platform for international applications. Australian customers can submit international applications using the platform. Access to the platform is integrated with the Online application portal.

  • 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 Rights In One (RIO) which runs in a cloud environment.

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

The primary business system for trade marks is Rights in One (RIO). This system maintains the data relating to trade marks, including bibliographic data and documents.

File building: A RIO case is established for each trade mark application on filing. This has an automated workflow that captures, files, publishes and sends notices to the relevant parties.

Updating: RIO creates cases as user requests (correspondence) are received from customers via the digital transactional channels. Each case has a specific workflow and assessment criteria to assist users in the processing of the task.

Storage: RIO adds documents to the database and prepares structured data (if submitted) within the relevant workflow for a user to action (e.g., apply an amendment) or reject (e.g., not apply an amendment if the requirements for amendment are not met).

RIO also contains the search material considered by the examiner during substantive examination, and information relating to Opposition matters if the application proceeds along this path.

  • Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)

The administrative team at IP Australia also use the same RIO 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 TRADEMARK INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

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

All Australian trade mark records/documents are handled in accordance with Office procedures set down under Australian Law and archiving practices.

Australian trade mark data is retrievable using the web-based Australian Trade Mark Search interface: https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/search/quick

The Australian trade mark database is also available via an API: https://portal.api.ipaustralia.gov.au/s/communityapi/a082w000000LObMAAW/developersaustraliantrademarksearchapi

  • Publications related to different business procedures and trademark 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 trade marks in Australia at https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/trade-marks/search-existing-trade-marks.

  • Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centres, 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.

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 TRADEMARK INFORMATION

Information on the following topics is desired:

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

International exchange of information can be facilitated using IP Australia’s trade marks bulk data products: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/Professional-resources/bulk-data-requests

The Australian Trade Mark Search API allows you to search for Australian trade marks and retrieve data displayed on the Australian Trade Mark 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 trademark information

IP Australia undertook a two-stage process to adopt WIPO’s Madrid Goods and Services list (MGS list) as IP Australia’s list of pre-approved classification terms. The first stage, completed in September 2023, involved removing broad terms from Australia’s existing picklist. The second stage, completed in March 2024, involved fully replacing IP Australia’s list of goods and services with the MGS list. We continue to engage with WIPO to make improvements to the MGS list, including to reflect Australian terms. This takes the form of a monthly meeting.

  • Assistance to developing countries

No comment provided.

  • Other activities

No comment provided.

VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING TRADEMARK 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

IP Australia trade mark applications are numbered based on the order of application. There is no plan to change this at present. 

WIPO Standard ST.60: Bibliographic data relating to marks

Implemented

WIPO Standard ST.61: The exchange of trademark legal status data 

No plan to implement

IP Australia has provided feedback on the events and how they map to Australia's trade mark system. This will be a good starting point if IP Australia decided to implement ST.61 in the future, but there are no such plans at present.

WIPO Standard ST.63: Content and layout of trademark gazettes

No plan to implement

IP Australia no longer publishes a gazette for trade marks.

WIPO Standard ST.66: Processing of trademark information using XML

Implemented

WIPO Standard ST.67: Electronic management of the figurative elements of trademarks

No plan to implement

IP Australia currently has no legislative basis to require applications to adhere to the kinds of requirements covered by this Standard.

WIPO Standard ST.68: Electronic management of sound marks

No plan to implement

IP Australia currently has no legislative basis to require applications to adhere to the kinds of requirements covered by this Standard.

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

IP Australia does not use 3D models and 3D images in trade marks.

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 Trademarks

Note: Please list any other WIPO Standards related to trademarks (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