Francis Gurry Lecture on Intellectual Property - 28.08.18
Mr Bill Ferris AC, Chair of the Innovation and Science Australia board presented the 2018 Francis Gurry Lecture on Intellectual Property on the topic "Intellectual Property and the Business of Innovation".
Lecture synopsis
Against the backdrop of over a quarter of a century of uninterrupted growth, and stock markets posting new multi-year highs, it is tempting to conclude that Australian business is in great shape. However, underlying these statistics is a disturbing downward trend in business investment in R&D, and continued lacklustre patenting activity by Australian firms. Meanwhile, on the international scene (and notably not just in the US), we are observing double digit growth rates in platform-based businesses built around breakthrough new technologies. It is also significant that these firms have built up vast intellectual property estates which form a key part of their competitive advantage. In this talk Mr Ferris explored some of the challenges that he believes Australian firms will need to overcome if they are to compete effectively in the decade to come, and the role that intellectual property can play in assisting them.
This event was presented in conjunction with the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia, and has been generously supported by AIPPI, IP Australia, IPSANZ and LESANZ.
The Francis Gurry Lecture on Intellectual Property was established by the Melbourne Law School, in conjunction with the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia, in 2009. The Lecture is named in honour of the Law School’s distinguished alumnus, Dr Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (2008-).