IP Australia has commenced a second round of consultation on IP Rights Reform by issuing a consultation paper. The paper covers proposals relating to:

• Getting the Balance Right
• Exemptions to Patent Infringement
• Resolving patent opposition proceedings faster
• Resolving trade mark opposition proceedings faster
• Resolving divisional applications faster

A second consultation paper and associated drafting instructions will be released in the near future. The second paper will cover proposals set out in:

• Flexible Search and Examination
• Streamlining the Patent Process

Submissions close on 12 February 2010.