Protect your idea

Your idea may be truly innovative, or it may be an improvement to an existing product or service. While you cannot copyright your idea, you can protect your intellectual property (IP) through patents, trademarks and designs.

Intellectual property

IP Australia defines intellectual property as something that 'represents the property of your mind or intellect'. While it is important to protect your IP, it is equally important that you do not infringe the IP ownership of others.

Types of intellectual property include:

• copyright
• patents
• trademarks
• registered design
• plant breeder's rights
• circuit layout rights
• moral rights
• confidential information (including trade secrets).