Strong USPTO Ties with IP Australia

IP Australia Recognised as an International Search Authority by the USPTO: http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/pdfs/news/USPTO_IPA_Pressrelease.pdf

IP Australia and the United States’ Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have announced an agreement which will see IP Australia act as an international search and examination authority for international applications filed with the USPTO under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

The media release said that the "arrangement follows the successful conclusion of a pilot program between IP Australia and the USPTO which focussed on search and examination of PCT applications."