Types of intellectual property
Learn about the types of intellectual property, including automatic rights and rights for which creators and owners of intellectual property must apply.
Topics
Copyright
Learn about when copyright law applies, what it protects and the rights of copyright owners.
Patents
Learn why Australian patent law is important for people who invent something new and useful.
Trademarks
A summary of the usefulness of trademarks.
Registered design
Find out about the requirements and process to register a design and the rights of the registered design owner.
Plant breeder's rights
Find out about plant breeder’s rights (PBRs) for a registered variety and how PBRs operate in relation to other forms of IP rights.
Circuit layout rights
Find out how circuit layout rights are protected under Australian law.
Moral rights
Describes the moral rights of authors as defined under the Copyright Act, and when those rights apply.
Confidential information
Keeping information about your invention confidential, or using trade secrets instead of applying for other intellectual property rights.