Software Patents

Abstract

Over 6000 patents were issued last year in the US for soji’ware related inventions. Patent protection is available for software developments in Australia, US and Europe in addition to copyright protection. Howevel; little use of the system has been made in Australia. ‘We review the diferent types of intellectual property systems, and the use of the patent system in Australia in relation to protection of software-related inventions. Our panelists wilr‘ discuss the meaning of the patent system, rights obtained, applicability to software, myths, and the process of applying for a patent in Australia.