Editorial

摘要

The first article, by Francesca Bartlett of the University of Queensland and Robert Burrell from the University of Sheffield, deals with the implications of proposed new national laws for regulating the legal profession, which have been agreed to in principle by NSW and Victoria, for patent and trade mark attorneys. As the authors explain, there is currently some uncertainty concerning the extent to which patent and trade mark attorneys are entitled to exemption from the prohibition against persons other than legal practitioners "engaging in legal practice". Following an examination of the legitimate scope of the work of patent and trade mark attorneys, the article suggests that the proposed new national regulatory regime presents an opportunity for reforming the law to establish a clear and broad safe harbour. According to the authors, the safe harbour should specifically include protection for conducting proceedings before the Trade Marks and Designs Offices, as well as extending to giving advice on intellectual property and "related" matters.