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Exemption for intellectual property rights from competition laws set to end

12 December 2018

2 min read

#Competition & Consumer Law

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Exemption for intellectual property rights from competition laws set to end

Businesses that assign or license intellectual property (IP) rights will soon have to consider extra competition laws under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Act).

Currently, commercial transactions involving IP rights are exempt from certain restrictive trade practices provisions under Part IV of the Act. These provisions prohibit certain behaviours that reduce competition, such as exclusive dealing and cartel conduct. Under section 51(3), certain licensing of IP rights, including patents, registered designs, copyright and some circuit layout rights, are exempt. The exemption doesn’t apply to the misuse of market power or resale price maintenance provisions.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 5) Bill 2018 is set to repeal section 51(3) of the Act, and the equivalent provisions under State Competition Codes. Under the Bill, transactions involving IP rights will have to comply with competition laws, as if they were any other transaction of property or assets. The Bill is currently before Parliament and is expected to pass within the next fortnight.

Once the Bill receives Royal Assent, businesses will have six months to ensure that all pre-existing and new IP arrangements, understandings, licences, and contracts satisfy Part IV of the Act. There may be scope for businesses with pre-existing arrangements to apply to the ACCC for authorisation. Going forward, under the ACCC’s power to make class exemptions, it is possible that certain IP exemptions could arise in future. However, to avoid breaching the Act, businesses should review their IP arrangements now.

Author: Dan Pearce & Louise Almeida

Contacts

Melbourne
Dan Pearce, Partner
T: +61 3 9321 9841
E: dan.pearce@holdingredlich.com

Sydney
Ian Robertson, National Managing Partner
T: +61 2 8083 0401
E: ian.robertson@holdingredlich.com

Brisbane
Paul Venus, Managing Partner, Queensland
T: +71 7 3135 0613
E: paul.venus@holdingredlich.com

Disclaimer
The information in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that the information in this publication is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. We are not responsible for the information of any source to which a link is provided or reference is made and exclude all liability in connection with use of these sources.

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