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Make sure your group understands how the law can affect what you can and can’t communicate.

Content last updated 05/09/2023

Understanding intellectual property laws

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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  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
  • any 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, and
  • selling and licensing of intellectual property
Guide to Intellectual Property law
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The content on this webpage was last updated in September 2023 and is not legal advice. See full disclaimer and copyright notice.


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