Patents

A patent can cover products, methods or processes. Patents provide particularly effective protection in the case of the invention of new technology that will lead to a product, composition or process with significant long-term commercial gain. When properly managed and protected, patents can be valuable commercial assets that provide significant competitive advantages.
We offer a range of patent services including:

We offer a range of patent services including:

• prosecution and defence of infringement and appearance at hearings
• prosecution and defence of revocation proceedings at the Federal Court
• advice in relation to the infringement and validity of patents
• licensing and exploitations arrangements and agreements
• transfers

What is a patent?

A patent grants the owner a monopoly to exploit any device, substance, method or process, which is new, inventive and useful, for a fixed term of 20 years in the case of standard patents and eight years in the case of innovation patents, with annual maintenance fees payable from its fifth year. In return for this grant of monopoly the inventor must disclose the invention to the public.

Patents provide effective protection if the invention is new technology that will lead to a product, composition or process with significant long-term commercial gain.

What is a patent attorney?

Your may not know it, but a patent attorney is not the same thing as a lawyer. A patent attorney provides specialist representation for people in the patenting process, and performs tasks such as preparing and filing applications and liaising with the Patents Office. In addition, a patent attorney will typically have qualifications or experience in specific areas of patentable technology such as science or engineering, as well as being registered with a Professional Standards Board.

While a patent attorney deals with the patenting process, a lawyer is able to provide advice on the legal and commercial aspects of obtaining a patent and protecting your rights as a patent-holder.

It is important to take a number of steps before consulting a patent attorney, including:

• Identifying whether your invention is commercially viable (while preserving its secrecy)
• Developing an appropriate commercial and patent strategy
• Identifying whether or not your invention is already in the public domain or the subject of a granted patent
• Selecting the right patent attorney to do the job and presenting him with an appropriate protection strategy to contain the cost of obtaining a patent

Consulting Hazan Hollander Lawyers first on the above issues can make a significant difference as to your commercial strategy and how much you spend bringing your invention to market and protecting your rights.