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There are an estimated 190 core biotech and 460 biotech-related companies operating in Australia Approximately 35 core biotech companies and 25 biotech-related companies are publicly listed The industry as a whole has raised about A$900 million since the previous industry report in 1999, five times more than estimated in 1998-1999 Revenues generated by core biotech companies over the past 12 months are estimated at almost A$1 billion. Human health, equipment and services, and agriculture are the sectors with the most number of products under development. In 2001 there is an estimated A$300 million of ongoing publicly funded research in biotechnology Victoria has the greatest number of core biotechnology companies (38%) New South Wales has the highest number of biotech-related companies (40%) R&D investment by Australian biotech companies in 1999-2000 was approximately A$150 million. Approximately half the biotech companies operate in the human health sector, including diagnostics and therapeutics Genomics and bio-informatics companies has more than doubled since 1999 Australia's patent system gives it a competitive advantage in attracting foreign companies to invest in the country's biotechnology industry, according to a recently released report on the growth of the sector.

An Australian attorney has patented the wheel in an attempt to draw attention to problems with the country's recently introduced innovation patent. Since May this year, the innovation patent has been available for inventions with a lower inventive threshold than standard patents. It is defined as a development that makes a substantial contribution to the working of the invention compared with the prior art.

Patent applications for business methods have dramatically increased in recent years. But, say Robert Cooper and Frances Sun, applying to patent business methods in Australia has been risky as there was a dearth of case law – until now

András Mák of SBG&K in Budapest, examines the latest changes to patent protection in Hungary and reveals how the Hungarian Patent Office is dealing with new technologies

The year 2000 saw some important amendments to Czech IP protection. Zdenka Prádná of Patentservis Praha, Ltd in Prague, reveals the most important changes

Oscar M Becerril, of Becerril, Coca & Becerril, SC in Mexico City, examines the protection of confidential data in registration files, pharmaceutical generics and look-alikes in Mexico

Spain is a step closer to bringing its trade mark system into line with the rest of the EU after the Spanish House of Representatives approved the draft Spanish Trade Marks Act. The legislation will now be debated by the Senate for a final vote, with July 31 mooted for its implementation. Its key objectives include implementing the Madrid Protocol and the EU Harmonization Directive, TRIPs compliance, and introducing amendments that bring Spain closer to harmonization with the Community Trade Mark.

The Russian Patent and Trademark Office (Rospatent) has approved Anheuser-Busch's application to register the Bud trade mark in Russia, following a 12-year battle with Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar.

On June 18 and 19, MIP held its first IP Forum at Simpson's in the Strand in London, sponsored by IP law firm Morgan & Finnegan. Nearly 30 speakers covered a range of topical issues, with a particular focus on the latest developments in the US. The conference opened with a keynote speech by Todd Dickinson, former director of the PTO, outlining recent changes to IP law in the US. The first day covered patent developments such as business methods, gene patents, litigation, trade secrets and damages. Day one concluded with a panel session on European litigation and a cocktail reception.

The first of the new top-level domains have been launched with extensive measures to protect IP rights. James Nurton investigates the options available to trade mark owners