Australian Technology and IP Business

Ice TV not in breach of copyright

In IceTV Pty Limited v Nine Network Australia Pty Limited [2009] HCA 14, the High Court has decided that IceTV's use of some of Nine Network's time and title information obtained from aggregated program guides did not infringe Nine's copyright in its weekly schedules. The High Court restored the trial judge's original decision (see here and here).

Proposed reforms to the IP system

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has called for written submissions on proposed reforms to the intellectual property (IP) system.

The reforms aim to:

• reduce barriers in the innovation landscape for researchers and inventors;
• improve certainty about the validity of granted patents; and
• allow patent claims to be resolved faster.

Two discussion papers have been issued:

• ‘Getting the Balance Right’ – Raising patentability standards and giving greater certainty in the validity of granted patents
• ‘Exemptions to Patent Infringement’ – Ensuring that patents do not inhibit research and development in Australia

IP Australia invites any interested parties to make written submissions by 8 May 2009.