More justice, more speed, if you're small and Australian

A recent IP news bulletin from Australian law firm Allens Arthur Robinson discusses the genesis and current content of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 -- which even has something to say about designs. According to AAR,

"The Bill provides that the Federal Magistrates Court will have jurisdiction to deal with matters under the DA [that's the Designs Act 2003 (Cth)]. This proposed amendment implements the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) recommendation to provide parties greater access to justice. The EM [Explanatory Memorandum] indicates that small business may benefit from being able to prosecute their designs matters in a speedy, cost-effective and less formal tribunal".