We are a Melbourne-based patent attorney firm with a proven track record of securing effective patents in Australia, New Zealand and internationally. We provide direct access to experienced professionals, clear cost forecasts, responsive service and robust enforceable patents.
We treat each patent application as if it’s our own and pride ourselves on securing strong patents that cover all that they should. See Examples of our patents.
We are efficient and easy to work with. Direct access to experienced professionals, practical advice and clear communication are hallmarks of the BRM experience.
We start every engagement with a detailed discussion of the overall patent process and the applicable costs without charge. Every step of the way, we remind clients where they are up to in the process and outline any further steps relevant to the decisions at hand.
We have rapid turnaround times and an enviable record of dependability. Our robust business systems, quality-focused culture and experienced professionals ensure professional service.
We are not jacks of all trades. We provide premium patent attorney services and maintain relationships with trade mark attorneys, lawyers and barristers with whom we often work closely to provide our clients with the best possible expertise and a great customer experience.
We conduct due diligence to avoid investment in patents that won’t succeed. We ensure our clients know what their patents cover, and if we doubt the value of that coverage we aren’t shy to say so. We use the patent system creatively and highlight cost-saving options.
Together we have well over a century of experience in Intellectual Property. Our experience coupled with our outstanding academic performance, top-tier training, and genuine enthusiasm for continuing professional development ensure our clients are served by experts in their fields.
With engineering qualifications and practical experience in engineering, we can quickly understand your invention, talk in practical terms and efficiently prepare quality patents. More on our mechanical engineering and manufacturing expertise.
Unlike the vast majority of Australian patent attorneys, we remain proudly independent. You can be confident that we’re not in league with a sister company working for your competitor.
We prefer to start with a detailed discussion without charge so that we can provide preliminary comment on the prospects of success and map out the steps ahead and the applicable costs. Please contact us when you’re ready.
Ben has been great to deal with, understands how to communicate clearly in terminology that a layman can grasp. Works to a timetable and keeps the commercial aspects of IP in focus.
A patent is a type of intellectual property that is issued by a government and gives its owner the right to stop others making, using, selling and importing versions of a new product and/or process.
Generally, patents are granted country by country but the patent rights can be broken up along different geographic boundaries – e.g. if you are based in Sydney, you might keep the NSW market to yourself and permit others to use your invention in the other states in return for royalty payments.
Further reading: Patents
Twenty years is the standard patent term in Australia, the US and most other countries. The 20-year term is usually calculated from the filing date of the first non-provisional patent, so an additional 12 months of protection can be secured by filing a provisional patent application.
Further reading: How long does a patent last?
Securing an Australian patent often costs about $17,000 + GST over about four or five years. International strategies often cost about $100,000 + GST over the first four years, e.g. if you aim to cover several individual countries plus Europe as a region.
Further reading: How much does a patent cost?
Patent attorneys secure and advise on the coverage of patents. They have a combination of technical (e.g. engineering) and legal qualifications, but are typically not lawyers. Registration as an attorney is a separate, less common qualification – whereas there are about 1,100 patent attorneys spread across Australia and New Zealand, there are more 90,000 lawyers in Australia alone.
Further reading: Patent Lawyer v Patent Attorney
Most Australian patent attorneys will start with a free-of-charge discussion, then charge in the range of $400 to $1,100 + GST per hour plus fixed charges for certain administrative actions.
Further reading: How much does a patent attorney cost?
The process often starts with a provisional patent application followed by one or more non-provisional patent application(s) about 12 months later. The non-provisional application(s) will then be examined to check that the invention qualifies. A patent is usually granted shortly after an application passes examination.
Further reading: How to patent an idea
If you believe that your patent is being infringed, it is important to verify that the patent validly covers the infringing product before reaching out to the infringer. Reaching out with professionally prepared correspondence improves the prospects of success. If the dispute cannot be resolved through correspondence and/or mediation (etc), patents are enforced in the courts. more
Australian patents are enforced by applying to the Federal Court of Australia. The Victorian registry of the FCA is located in the Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building on the corner of William and La Trobe Streets, at 305 William Street, Melbourne.
Further reading: How do you enforce a patent?
Swift action and professional advice are important if you are threatened with a patent. A qualified patent attorney can assess the substance of the allegation (Is the patent valid? Does it cover your product and/or process?) and guide you through the process.
Most patent disputes are resolved without going to court. A well-written response pointing out the weaknesses in the patent holder’s position can be enough to end the matter.
Further reading: How to respond to an allegation of infringement
The process begins with a free consultation. Please contact us when you're ready.
"*" indicates required fields