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Understanding intellectual property laws
What is intellectual property?
Intellectual property is property that results from intellectual and creative efforts. Ownership rights attach to intellectual property.
Your community organisation’s intellectual property is because intellectual property is an asset and identifier and also protects the organisation’s rights.
Your organisation’s intellectual property is what differentiates you from other organisations. It is important, valuable and worth protecting.
Your organisation’s intellectual property includes the rights it may have in its:
- name
- logo
- the names or logos of any programs or services developed by your organisation
- publications
- training materials
- website design and content
- domain name
- computer applications, programs, or databases it has developed, and
- ideas, innovations and inventions
Other people and organisations also have intellectual property rights, and it’s essential that your organisation does not infringe those rights, as this can result in legal action.
When publicly communicating, always stop and think about whether you are dealing appropriately with the intellectual property of others.
Our guide to intellectual property law is designed to help not-for-profit organisations understand the basics of making and protecting intellectual property, and avoiding infringing the intellectual property of others.
It includes information about:
- copyright, moral rights, trademarks, patents and designs
- dealing with confidential information
- ownership, protection and infringement of rights
- the impact of artificial intelligence on intellectual property, and
- selling and licensing of intellectual property
More information
The content on this webpage was last updated in January 2026 and is not legal advice. See full disclaimer and copyright notice.
