Good question! Firstly, realise you’re a potential target because you are a start up! Despite your relatively small organisation size, it is important to create a foundation of strong data protection and security practices. An information-centric approach for small businesses could be key to
IP Australia: Upcoming fee changes
IP Australia will implement its new fee structure from 1 October 2020, including some increases in its registration fees. The fee structure changes mostly affect patent applicants, patent renewal fees and trademark applications. The changes aim to support innovators by balancing IP Australia's
What is the difference between Business Names, Company Names and Trade Marks
Are a business name, company name and a trade mark all the same thing? No, not really. In short, these three names have different meanings, different uses and are registered in different ways. Regardless of the type of name that you are looking to register, you need to undertake
How do I apply for a trademark?
Lots of businesses in Australia and around the world struggle to conceptualise the value of registering and protecting their brand through registering a trade mark. A trade mark is used to distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another. The owner has exclusive rights to
Applying for a Patent
All patents in Australia are registered with IP Australia and usually completed through IP Australia’s online e-services platform. To help you plan out your patent application, IP Australia has created a nifty application guide that will help prepare your patent application for a seamless
What is a patent and do I need a patent?
A patent is a right that is granted for any device, substance, method or process that is new, useful and innovative or inventive. A patent gives an exclusive right to commercially exploit an invention for the life of the patent. Breaking this down a little, a patent is basically a registered
Name Registration Does Not Protect Your Brand
It’s a common misconception that registration of a business, company or domain name grants ownership and exclusive use of the name as a form of brand protection. The registration of a business, company or domain name does not automatically grant any proprietary ownership rights in the name. At
What is Intellectual Property?
Your intellectual property (also referred to as ‘IP’) will play an essential role in your business's success. Most startups have a large portion of their value embedded in their IP - the new ideas, the new inventions and the new ways of doing things. Simply creating IP does not actually mean that
Tips for protecting your IP
Intellectual property (also known as IP) theft has sadly become quite common, particularly in other jurisdictions where the IP laws are completely different to what is seen in Australia. Initially, you may be really eager to spread the word about your brilliant idea or invention. However, without
Commercialisation: The journey from an idea to the market
You’ve probably heard about ‘commercialisation’ and wondered what it is and how it even works. In a nutshell, commercialisation is a process by which a business recognises they have a new product or service and brings its to market. It’s like a pathway to market. You will most likely hear the