Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board – Member
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About the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board
The Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (the Board) is an independent body established by the Australian and New Zealand governments to regulate the trade marks attorney profession in Australia, and the patent attorney profession in Australia and New Zealand.
It is established under section 227A of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) and constituted under the Patents Regulations 1991. The Board’s functions include:
- Assessing applications for patent attorney qualifications.
- Assessing applications for exemptions against a topic group.
- Developing and overseeing the curriculum of studies to assist applicants in meeting their knowledge requirements.
- Developing guidelines for attorneys to help meet their continuing professional education obligations.
- Investigating complaints and assessing if an attorney's conduct needs to be reported to the Disciplinary Tribunal.
- Developing a Code of Conduct.
- Accrediting university courses that meet the knowledge requirements to become an attorney.
Further information can be found on the Board’s website (www.ttipattorney.gov.au(external link)).
Member responsibilities
Board members are responsible for carrying out the Board’s functions under the Australian Patents Act 1990 (Cth). This includes assessing the qualifications and knowledge required for registration as a trans-Tasman patent attorney or Australian trade mark attorney, and maintaining the standards of professional conduct applicable to the profession. Board members are accountable to the Australian Minister for Industry and Science and the New Zealand Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Membership of the Board
The Board is established under section 227A of the Australian Patents Act 1990(external link) (Cth), and consists of:
- A Chairperson (rotating between a person from Australia and a person from New Zealand).
- The Director General of IP Australia.
- The New Zealand Commissioner of Patents.
- At least 2 New Zealand representatives of the patent attorney profession.
- Between 2 and 5 other members.
More information on the Board, including a description of its functions and responsibilities, can be found on its website (www.ttipattorney.gov.au(external link)).
Time commitment and remuneration
The Board meets 3 times per year with each meeting requiring 2-3 days, including travel time. Board members will also be required to attend to various matters out-of-session, at an average of 1 hour per fortnight.
Board members are part-time public office holders and receive a sitting allowance set by the Australian Remuneration Tribunal – currently $938.00 AUD per day for ordinary members. Members are entitled to an allowance for travel-related expenses as determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
Person specifications
The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is looking for New Zealanders with substantial experience or knowledge, and significant standing, in the field of patent attorney practice. Members are required to have knowledge of intellectual property and an understanding of the patent attorney profession.
New Zealand Board members should have the following attributes:
- Extensive experience practicing as a patent attorney and standing within the New Zealand patent attorney profession.
- The ability to think strategically, analyse information and understand complex issues.
- The ability to make timely, principled, and analytically robust decisions.
- A high level of integrity and accountability and be free from material conflicts of interest.
- An ability to work in a collegial environment and to communicate effectively.
- The ability to bring a diverse perspective to the Board.
Disclosure of interest
As part of the appointment process, candidates are required to complete a Disclosure Form. The information that is disclosed by the candidates enables the responsible Minister to know the relevant interests and any conflicts that a person may have in relation to an appointment to an entity. The information is used to assess whether a candidate would be able to contribute effectively to the entity’s affairs, and where conflicts are identified, to ensure that these can be managed appropriately.
Additional information
For enquiries about the position, email: boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz