Intellectual property represents the property of your mind or intellect. In business terms, this also means your proprietary knowledge.
Types of IP:
- 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
- confidentiality/trade secrets including know-how and other confidential or proprietary information.
Information on all types of IP can be found on the website of IP Australia.
There are so many issues surrounding intellectual property, the best thing to do is develop an intellectual property strategy (PDF 85KB).
More information
On this site
Licensing and regulation
Other websites
Australian Copyright Council