Join us for an insightful webinar in collaboration with IP Australia, the authoritative Australian Government agency overseeing legislation relating to patents, trade marks, design rights and plant breeder’s rights.

In this session we’ll be exploring the basics of IP, IP strategy, value and enforcement. The webinar session has been designed to enhance your understanding of IP rights, their benefits and further knowledge of where to look for more information. The session will also feature a panel discussion, where IP experts will delve deeper into the process and examination of IP, and provide useful insights.

This online event will go beyond the basics, providing practical insights into the examination process through a panel discussion featuring seasoned IP experts:

Ally Driessen is an acting Senior Patent Examiner at IP Australia. She has a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Melbourne. Ally has worked for IP Australia for the past 3 and a half years, examining patents related to a variety of medical devices.

Laura Stone is an acting Assistant Director in Trade Marks examination. She has extensive experience in the training of new trade mark examiners and senior examiners, both as a coach and team leader. Laura has a passion for delivering high quality outcomes for customers, including through providing ongoing training to examiners to provide robust IP rights.

Dr Michael Falk is IP Australia’s Chief Economist, and leads the agency’s program of economic evidence and advice. Michael joined IP Australia in 2019 as an opportunity to shape policy through evidence and help the government address challenges at the nexus of innovation, competition and trade. Michael has a PhD in the management of technological innovation from Melbourne Business School, and over a decade’s experience in research, strategy and communications roles bridging government, academia and industry.

Catherine Downes has worked at IP Australia since 2011. She is currently the supervising examiner in the biotherapeutics area and works remotely from regional Victoria. Before working for IP Australia Catherine completed her Ph.D. in pharmacology and worked researching brain inflammation following stroke.