Intellectual Property Summary

In this briefing, we provide an overarching summary of the key types of intellectual property being:

1. Confidential Information
2. Patents
3. Copyright
4. Trade marks – unregistered and registered
5. Registered designs
6. Plant Variety Rights

1. Confidential Information

Example: Secret information about how a mouse trap works

Protection: Requires strict secrecy

Duration: Protected until publicly disclosed, including if independently developed and disclosed

Australian Legislation / International Treaties:

• Not covered by legislation or international treaty
• Common law – breach of confidentiality, trade secrets,

2. Patents

Example: Invention of a new mouse trap

Protection:

• Requires registration, only protects inventions which are new and not disclosed (keep secret)
• Invention must be kept strictly confidential until patent is filed
• Patent must be granted in every country in which you want protection

Duration:

• Standard patent up to 20 years (renewal fees)
• Australian innovation patent is a relatively fast, inexpensive protection option, lasting a maximum of 8 years (but note innovation patents are being phased out shortly)

Australian Legislation / International Treaties:

• Patents Act 1990 (Cth)
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (1970)
• Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purpose of Patent Procedure (1977)
• Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883)

3. Copyright

Example: A drawing or written description of a new mouse trap

Protection: Automatic protection on original creation (not copied), only protects the expression of an idea (not the idea itself)

Duration:

• Literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works generally 70 years from the year of the author’s death
• Films and sound recordings last 70 years from their publication and for broadcasts, 70 years from the year in which they were made

Australian Legislation / International Treaties

• Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)
• Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886)
  • WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
• Universal Copyright Convention (1952)

4. Trade Marks – registered

Example: Branding such as the FAL TRAPS^TM for a mouse trap

Protection:

• Unregistered trade mark rights develop through trade use and establishing a reputation in trade
• Better protection through registration
  • Filing through the Madrid System facilitates the registration of trade marks in multiple jurisdictions around the world

Duration: Initial registration 10 years and unlimited 10 year renewals for a fee

Australian Legislation / International Treaties:

• Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth)
• Trademark Law Treaty (TLT) (1994)
• Nice Agreement (1957)
  • Nice Classification
• Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883)

5. Registered designs

Example: A stylish mouse trap involving design

Protection: Requires registration

Duration: 5 years initial protection, one 5 year renewal

Australian Legislation / International Treaties

• Designs Act 2003 (Cth)

• Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883)

6. Plant Variety Rights

Example: A hybrid Venus fly trap which eats mice

Protection: Requires registration

Duration: Lasts for up to 25 years for trees or vines and 20 years for other plant species

Australian Legislation / International Treaties

• Plant Breeder’s Rights 1994 (Cth)
• International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (1961) (UPOV Convention)
  • International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)