Explanatory note

This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This order brings into force, on 1 January 1995, the Patents Amendment Act 1994. The Act and a number of other Acts that also come into force on 1 January 1995 give effect to provisions of the various trade agreements that form part of the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization. The Act implements provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement).

The principal amendments relate to the extension of the term of patents from 16 to 20 years, the circumstances in which compulsory licences may be granted, and the use by the Crown of patented inventions.