Australia: Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

IP Australia has updated its Patent Manual following the High Court's decision in Aristocrat Technologies, providing clearer guidance on patentability of computer-implemented inventions. While the changes don't broadly expand patentability for software inventions, they establish a more structured framework for applicants to challenge narrow claim characterizations during examination, particularly in sectors like fintech, AI, and digital services.

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Australia's High Court is set to rule on whether bitcoin constitutes property under common law, with the Australian Taxation Office intervening to protect over a decade of tax administration based on treating cryptocurrency as a taxable asset. Meanwhile, AUSTRAC launches new supervisory campaigns targeting virtual asset service providers, and the Reserve Bank releases findings from Project Acacia exploring tokenised finance in wholesale markets.

On 28 May 2026, the Treasury published stage 1 of its long-awaited package of laws and consultations to designate, implement and operationalise the Scams Prevention Framework (SPF).

With Treasury now defining the scope of the SPF and core requirements that entities will need to comply with, regulated entities should assess whether they can meet these new obligations and actively consider how they engage with Treasury in the consultation.

The concept of unconscionable conduct has, in recent times, been increasing in prominence, both as a regulatory enforcement tool...

Eminem's legal team has challenged an Australian beach lifestyle brand's trade mark application, arguing that 'Swim Shady' is confusingly similar to his iconic 'Slim Shady' persona. Australia's Registrar of Trade Marks has now ruled on whether the rapper's existing Australian registrations provide sufficient grounds to block the beach brand's application, with the decision turning on evidence of genuine use across merchandise categories.

The Act requires providers of those social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 years of age from obtaining or maintaining accounts with the platform.

Case demonstrates the power of passionate advocacy, the vital role of independent media, and the far-reaching consequences a single case can have on politics, law, and public consciousness.

Eminem's legal team has challenged an Australian beach lifestyle brand's trade mark application, arguing that 'Swim Shady' is confusingly similar to his iconic 'Slim Shady' persona. Australia's Registrar of Trade Marks has now ruled on whether the rapper's existing Australian registrations provide sufficient grounds to block the beach brand's application, with the decision turning on evidence of genuine use across merchandise categories.

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With Treasury now defining the scope of the SPF and core requirements that entities will need to comply with, regulated entities should assess whether they can meet these new obligations and actively consider how they engage with Treasury in the consultation.