Intellectual property

Intellectual property covers a range of laws that give individuals and businesses exclusive rights over their creative and inventive projects.
  • Patents
    A patent is a right granted for any device, substance, method or process, which is new, inventive and useful.

  • Trade marks
    A registered trade mark gives you the exclusive legal right to use, license or sell your goods or services in Australia.

  • Copyright
    Copyright provides legal protection for people who express ideas and information in certain forms.

  • Confidentiality/Trade secrets
    Common law protects you from people stealing your trade secrets, breaching confidentiality agreements and passing off trade marks.

  • Registered designs
    If you are the owner of a product then you can register its design to protect the visual appearance.

  • Circuit layout rights
    Circuit layout rights automatically protect original layout designs for integrated circuits and computer chips.

  • Plant Breeder's Rights
    Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) are exclusive commercial rights to a registered variety of plant.

  • International protection
    If you export goods or sell goods and services over the internet, you may need to consider international intellectual property (IP) protection.

  • Intellectual property & taxation
    As your intellectual property (IP) represents a collection of assets, there can be tax implications for your business if you intend to sell or licence your IP.

  • Intellectual property in your state or territory
    Useful guides, information and resources on intellectual property in your state or territory.

This information is brought to you by business.gov.au and BEC Australia
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