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...

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.

After more than a decade in the UK media law sector, my return to Sydney to head up Spencer West's expansion into Australia has given me an opportunity to reflect on the transformative changes in our media landscape.

Tailor your disclaimers to each communication channel and specific risk. Ensure they are clear, visible and presented before reliance. Avoid broad or misleading wording, and do not assume disclaimers will remove all liability. Review them regularly to reflect changes in your business, legal obligations and how customers interact with your content.

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 Federal Court of Australia has ruled that Coles Supermarkets' 'Down Down' promotional pricing was misleading to consumers, despite the advertised prices being factually accurate. The case examines whether temporary price increases followed by promotional discounts constitute genuine savings, and establishes critical standards for how long a higher price must be maintained before retailers can legitimately advertise it as a discount reference point.