IPA design powers-of-the-registrar — IP Australia Designs Examiners' Manual – 26.3. Production of documents under s 61(1): Powers of the Registrar

The Registrar has the power to allow a person to inspect documents that are not published or open for public inspection under s 61 (1)(a). The person who makes the request – and any person who has proprietary rights in the documents (whether those rights are current or retrospective) – may be entitled to object and be heard before the Registrar. The Registrar generally uses this power in relation to: ownership disputes under s 29 (or possibly s 30 ) requests for an extension of time (before registration) under s 137 financial disputes (but it is likely that these disputes will be before a court and the relevant documents will be the subject of a subpoena). Requests under s 61(1)(b) must be forwarded to the oppositions and hearings section of the Trade Marks and Designs Group for consideration.