IP Australia:
Who are they?
IP Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for administering patents, trade marks, designs and Plant Breeder’s Rights.
By granting these rights, and contributing to the improvement of Australian and international IP systems, IP Australia is supporting Australia's economic development.
What do they do?
Australia's economic well-being depends on capturing the benefits of increased innovation and creativity. IP Australia's role is to provide a strong intellectual property system which promotes innovation, investment and trade.
Generally, IP Australia focuses on ensuring that:
The Australian IP system meets business needs;
The international IP system meets the needs of Australians;
Our people work together in an environment where we continually learn in order to succeed;
We provide our customers with quality services that meet their needs; and
Our operations are cost effective.
Who do they protect?
IP Australia protects
• patents for new or improved products or processes;
• trade marks for letters, words, phrases, sounds, smells, shapes, logos, pictures, aspects of packaging or a combination of these, to distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another;
• designs for the shape or appearance of manufactured goods;
• copyright for original material in literary, artistic, dramatic or musical works, films, broadcasts, multimedia and computer programs;
• circuit layout rights for the three-dimensional configuration of electronic circuits in integrated circuit products or layout designs;
• plant breeder's rights for new plant varieties; and
• Confidentiality/trade secrets including know-how and other confidential or proprietary information.
Find out how these types of intellectual property differ from business, company and domain names which don't necessarily give exclusive rights of ownership.
How do they protect?
IP Australia's Strategic Statement 2007-2012 sets the priorities that will strengthen and sustain the organization over the next 5 years. It guides the organization’s future directions so it can continue to fulfill its purpose of providing an intellectual property system that promotes innovation, investment and international competitiveness for the benefit of all Australians.