Key changes

• Removal of outdated terms ABORIGINE and ABORIGINE+ replaced by ABORIGINAL and PERSON/PERSON+ where these terms accurately describe the imagery

• Replacement of people related uses of NATIVE with INDIGENOUS as a global descriptor

• Replacement of abbreviated term FLAG,TSI with FLAG,TORRES-STRAIT-ISLANDER

• Introduction of TORRES-STRAIT-ISLANDER as a distinct indexing term for imagery specific to Torres Strait Islander peoples.

These changes follow an internal review and consultation with IP Australia's Indigenous Knowledge Panel.

This update is reflected in the Trade Marks Manual of Practice and Procedure's Glossary of Image Descriptors.

What this means for you

These changes may affect how certain imagery is retrieved when conducting a trade mark search. Attorneys and people who conduct regular trade mark searches may wish to review their search strategies to ensure they continue to capture relevant results. Existing records will be updated to support continuity of search outcomes.

No changes have been made to trade mark legislation or examination practice.

If you have any questions about the updated indexing terms, contact us.

Source: Update to trade mark image indexing terminology | IP Australia