Updated to include recent important developments in Australian intellectual property law, this is an essential text for students and professionals.

This book shows the development of Australian IP law into a distinctly Australian body.

Intellectual property law in Australia has changed dramatically in the last decade and continues to change. Developments in technology, the rise of the internet, the globalisation of trade and the increasing importance of 'superbrands' or trade marks with global appeal have all impacted on the laws surrounding intellectual property. Furthermore, globalisation has resulted in greater pressure to expand the rights of intellectual property owners as they endeavour to capture the potential benefits of ownership in an increasingly affluent and integrated world economy. This book provides a detailed and scholarly insight into Australian intellectual property law. It aims to offer students and legal professionals a detailed discussion of the black-letter aspects of the law, with the primary emphasis on the legal principles and complexities within.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this monograph provides a survey and analysis of the rules concerning intellectual property rights in Australia. It covers every type of intellectual property right in depth - copyright and neighbouring rights, patents, utility models, trademarks, trade names, industrial designs, plant variety protection, chip protection, trade secrets, and confidential information. Particular attention is paid throughout to recent developments and trends.