Govt opens up Australian IT data

The Australian government has launched a free web-based app to help entrepreneurs, students, researchers and policymakers explore and analyse Australia’s intellectual property data.

IP NOVA was launched during the GovHack 2016 Red Carpet Awards in Adelaide by Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy.

It was developed in a public-private collaboration by government body IP Australia and local big data company Servian.

IP NOVA allows anyone to access over 100 years’ worth of IP data on patents, trademarks and plant breeders’ rights. The cloud-based app presents the data in a visual, interactive way.

Laundy said IP NOVA is a practical example of the government’s open data policy.

“Australia’s capacity to remain competitive in the digital economy depends upon our ability to harness the value of our public data,” he said.

“This innovative tool breaks down the access barriers to our wealth of IP data, allowing entrepreneurs and innovative small businesses to explore what’s happening in their specific technology and business landscapes. IP NOVA can help businesses and individuals answer their own IP questions, and may also lead to new opportunities to create or collaborate with others.”

He said sharing or combining data sources creates opportunities that neither government nor business could previously imagine.

Image courtesy of Chris Potter under CC