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.
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