FPA Patent Attorneys

FPA congratulates its client, Flame Security International (FSI), on winning the 2024 Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) award for the Best Industry-Research Collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This award comes on the back of FSI being recognised as a finalist in the 2024 The Australian Financial Review (AFR) Most Innovative Companies Award for its FIRECOAT fire-resistant paint range.  FPA has advised FSI since early 2022 and utilised our extensive expertise and experience in chemistry and materials science to support FSI’s commercial strategy and build a patent portfolio around FIRECOAT paints and other FSI fire-resistant products currently under development. FPA looks forward to continuing to support FSI as it further innovates in the increasingly crucial area of fire-resistant technologies.

Global steel production has reached close to 2 billion tonnes per year, with China accounting for more than 50% of this total. It is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, responsible for about 7-9% of the global total. This article, authored by Consultant Grant Jacobsen and Patent Scientist Dafydd Jones, highlights technical solutions for reducing the level of carbon dioxide emissions during steel production and examines international patent application trends. The results indicate that United States and European applicants dominate international patent applications, with, perhaps surprisingly, relatively few international applications from Asian applicants. Further, even in recent years, the number of applications is relatively low, suggesting a lack of innovation in the sector. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gF9u6MZm

FPA is proud to recognise Principals Stuart Irvine and Carl Harrap’s contribution to the Australian chapter of the newly published “Design Law: Global Law and Practice” text (published by Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024): https://lnkd.in/gDpEPHn3 Their contribution to this text is a well-deserved recognition of their extensive experience and expertise in the registered design/design patent space.

We're excited to announce the promotion of Amie Khosla to Associate. Amie, who focuses on quantum computing, physics, AI, machine learning as well as electronic and electrical engineering, has honed her skills over the past few years by drafting many patent applications in quantum computing and recently played a pivotal role in managing a client's quantum computing patent portfolio. Principals Akanksha Dahiya and Carl Harrap commented, "Amie has made outstanding contributions to the PhysEng team and the firm more broadly since her arrival; it was a unanimous decision by the leadership team to elevate her." You can read about Amie's promotion here: https://lnkd.in/gvyu9gkz Congratulations Amie, on this significant career milestone!

In the third article in our series, 'Navigating the opportunities and risks of patenting AI-designed drugs,' we unpack the potential patenting risks of patenting AI-designed drugs. We also discuss inadvertent disclosures, evolving inventive step standards, tricky data disclosure decisions, and thorny ownership issues. This article, authored by Associate Julie Murison, with co-authors Associate Principal Danny Gelman and Associate Harriet Keenan, aims to equip patent applicants with knowledge on charting a successful course through this changing landscape. Though the answers aren’t always clear, understanding the key considerations can help patent applicants successfully navigate this shifting terrain. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gfBecPmA Or read Part 1: https://lnkd.in/ganird3Z and/or Part 2: https://lnkd.in/gAWGz9iM

Last night, 26 September, at the Managing IP's Asia Pacific gala dinner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, FPA was presented with the “Australia Firm of the Year—Patent Prosecution” 2024 award. “We are humbled to receive this prestigious award, which highlights FPA’s sustained commitment to excellence in patent and design services and follows closely on our previous wins in 2021 and 2019, adding up to 3 out of the past 6 years,” comments Managing Director John Dower. “It further reflects our entire team’s ongoing dedication and drive to deliver innovative, commercially focused solutions that help our clients achieve their business objectives.” Principal Desmond Tan was in attendance to accept this on the firm’s behalf. Read the Firm News here: https://lnkd.in/geDFP-aB

As AI continues to transform drug R&D, understanding the intellectual property implications will be crucial for inventors navigating this evolving landscape. In the second article in our series, "Navigating the opportunities and risks of patenting AI-designed drugs," Associate Julie Murison, with co-authors Associate Principal Danny Gelman and Associate Harriet Keenan, discuss the ways AI tools may be used to strengthen or inform a patent application, as well as considerations applicants should have in mind when deciding what information to include in a patent application. In part 3, we'll examine the obstacles AI tools may provide for inventors, applicants and patentees. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gAWGz9iM Or read Part 1 here: https://lnkd.in/ganird3Z

IP Australia is presenting a proposal to expand Australia’s Design system to include protection for virtual designs, partial designs, and incremental designs. The proposed changes will modernise the Design system and harmonise it with other countries. They will also enable designers to build on and specifically protect iterations or generations of successful products. Principal Carl Harrap provides an overview of the proposals, feedback and next steps. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g2RuCMKA

Principal Karen Bentley, who focuses on biotechnology, food technology, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and life sciences, will attend the Life Sciences Strategy Summit on IP & Exclusivity in Munich from 8 to 10 October.   Karen welcomes the opportunity to connect with you if you are attending the Summit and/or visiting Munich.

Principals Stuart Irvine and Akanksha Dahiya are travelling to Washington DC to attend the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)'s three-day Annual Meeting from October 24 to 26. Stuart and Akanksha welcome the opportunity to connect with you if you are attending the AIPLA Annual Meeting and/or visiting Washington DC.   #AIPLA #aiplaAM24