AU Patent Attorney study plan

Map every patentability requirement in the Patents Act (manner of manufacture, novelty, inventive step, utility, secret use, prior art base) into a one-page comparison table with section references

Work through the statutory definition of prior art base and explain in writing how whole-of-contents and single-disclosure approaches differ

Draft a worked novelty analysis for a hypothetical claim set against three notional disclosures, marking each anticipation ground

Build a checklist for distinguishing lack of novelty from lack of inventive step and test it on five short scenarios

Explain manner of manufacture using the settled principles and apply them to two borderline subject-matter cases (business method, diagnostic method)

Practise construing claims using the purposive approach, writing constructions for five claims of varying clarity

Draft a complete specification structure (title, field, background, summary, detailed description, claims) for a mechanical invention

Write one independent claim and three dependent claims for that invention, then self-critique for clarity, support and breadth

Analyse the examination workflow before the Commissioner: filing, formalities, direction to request examination, first report, response, and acceptance

Draft a response to a mock examination report raising novelty, clarity and support objections

Summarise the amendment rules, including the allowable scope of amendment and the effect of amendment on disclosure and claim scope

List the grounds and procedure for opposition and re-examination, noting time limits and who may act

Compare validity challenge routes (court revocation, counterclaim in infringement proceedings, opposition) and record their procedural differences

Apply the infringement provisions to five claim/accused-product pairs, deciding whether infringement is made out and on what basis

Outline the remedies available, including injunctions, damages, account of profits and the role of unjustified threats provisions

Draft a short opinion letter advising a client on validity risk and enforcement options

Explain the Paris Convention priority system, the 12-month period and the consequences of losing priority

Work through PCT procedure from international filing to national phase entry, including time limits and amendment opportunities at international phase

Summarise TRIPS minimum standards and how they shape Australian law, noting any gaps

Complete a comparative exercise on novelty grace periods and prior art bases across three jurisdictions

Map the registrability requirements under the Trade Marks Act, including distinctive character and the grounds for rejection

Apply the grounds of opposition to a hypothetical application and identify which grounds succeed

Explain infringement, the defences available and how the definition of a trade mark use is assessed

Summarise the removal for non-use procedure and its evidentiary requirements

Outline registrability and the scope of monopoly for designs, noting how the test for infringement differs from patents

Compare the designs and patents systems for a product with both functional and aesthetic features

Draft a conflicts-of-interest and confidentiality protocol applying the attorneys' professional conduct obligations

Identify the duties owed to the client and to the Commissioner when instructions conflict

Summarise the subsistence and breach elements of confidential information actions and how they interact with patent filing strategy

Outline the essential elements of copyright subsistence and ownership, and the fair dealing exceptions

Explain the plant breeder's rights application and examination process and the competition law interface with IP licensing

Revise the three heaviest domains using spaced-repetition flashcards and sit a timed mock exam