Intellectual Property (IP) represents the property of your mind or intellect. In other words it is your proprietary knowledge.

There are registerable forms of Intellectual Property such as patents (inventions), trademarks (logos, words, colours) and designs (shapes), and non-registerable forms such as copyright.

Developing appropriate strategies to protect your proprietary knowledge can help secure competitive advantage for your business and protect your ownership of an innovative product (for example, patents).

The Department of Business and Employment can help you access information on protecting your intellectual property including:

  • information packs on copyright, trademarks, designs, patents and other forms of intellectual property protection
  • explanation of the different types of IP available
  • referral to Copyright Council, IP Australia, Trademarks Office and appropriate websites.

For more information on Intellectual Property visit the IPAustralia website and the Australian Copyright Council.