Protecting your invention

It is vital that, before you apply for patent protection, you keep any information about the invention confidential. You must not demonstrate, commercially exploit or sell the invention. You also must not discuss your invention with any external person/organisation before you apply for a patent, otherwise you may lose the opportunity to patent it.

In some instances, disclosure in research settings may be allowed if the disclosure is made during a grace period. Visit IP Australia for more information about patents.

You can talk to others about the invention, but you must make it clear that the information is to be kept confidential. If you have any dealings about the invention with external people/organisations, you should use a confidentiality agreement.

Also consider...

• Visit IP Australia for information about patents. Topics include: about the application process; how to search for a patent; how to apply for a patent; and how to renew your patent.
• Visit the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia—a representative body for Australian patent and trademark attorneys. This site provides the latest news and resource information about patent and trademark law in Australia.
• Use the directory of registered attorneys published by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board—a group that administers the patent attorney professions in Australia and New Zealand and the trademarks profession in Australia.