IP Australia has recently launched a new tool to search Design registrations. The tool is based around the image recognition software already used by IP Australia in respect of image searching under the Trade Mark Search tool.

It replaces the very outdated ADDS tool which was difficult to use and particularly difficult to use successfully.

If you are a fan of with Google’s reverse image search tool you’ll also like the ability to upload and search upon an image to search for a corresponding design registration.

This is going to make it much easier to confidently advise clients in respect of clearance to use searches and the new and distinctive tests under the Designs Act.