Intellectual Property Lawyer Brisbane

What is Intellectual Property?

Think of it as property created by your mind – your ideas and your creations. Intellectual property (IP) is intangible, meaning it is not physical property. It spans a wide range of areas including not only artistic works like books, music, and films, unique designs and logos, but also trade secrets, confidential information, and even certain plant breeding. In Australia, IP rights are governed and secured by federal legislation and common law.

When we talk about intellectual property rights, we're not just talking about laws. We're also talking about how individuals and businesses can use and benefit from these rights. This includes letting others use it (licensing), making money from it (commercialisation), and claiming a special name on the internet (registering domain names). At Macmillan Lawyers and Advisors, we ensure you understand and protect all aspects of your intellectual property.

Types of Intellectual Property

Patents

Patents serve as exclusive rights granted for inventions, providing inventors the authority to prevent others from making, using, or selling their creations. You can also patent a new substance or process, and the same rights will be protected. You won’t need to contact a patent attorney – our patent lawyers in Brisbane assist businesses in navigating the intricate process of securing patents and enforcing patent rights.

Trademarks

Trademarks are paramount for brand recognition. They legally protect your brand’s symbols, names, or distinct slogans for products or services. As experienced trademark lawyers in Brisbane, our team at Macmillan Lawyers and Advisors works with businesses to secure their trademark registrations, protecting and establishing their unique identity in the market.

Copyright

In most cases, as soon as you write down an original idea, you own the copyright. However, in some instances, your employer may own the copyright if you have created the idea(s) as part of your job. Copyright safeguards original artistic, literary, or musical works. As experienced copyright lawyers in Brisbane, our team assists clients in understanding and protecting their copyrights, ensuring their exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display their creative works.

Registered Designs

The aesthetic aspects of a product are shielded through registered designs. Our IP lawyers guide businesses in Brisbane through the registration process, securing exclusive rights to the visual appearance of their products.

Circuit Layout Rights

Circuit layout rights protect the unique arrangement of electronic circuits. Like copyright, circuit layout rights are automatic. Our IP lawyers in Brisbane assist businesses in navigating the legal landscape to secure and enforce these specialised rights in the realm of technology.

Plant Breeder’s Rights

For those involved in agriculture or horticulture, plant breeder's rights are crucial. These rights protect new plant varieties, ensuring that the efforts put into developing new crops, trees, and flowers are duly rewarded. Our IP lawyers in Brisbane provide guidance on securing and enforcing plant breeder's rights.