Intellectual property

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.

Trade secrets/confidentiality
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.