Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Richard Marles MP, today announced a new online tool to help SMEs manage their intellectual property.
The free Intellectual Property Explorer will assist small businesses in identifying and analysing different forms of IP in relation to inventions, designs and brands.
“Many businesses are surprised at how many IP assets they have and how valuable they are” Mr. Marles said.
“That’s why it is crucial these intangible assets are identified and protected. Reviewing IP assets is particularly important when buying or selling a business, seeking investors, or looking to export.”
The tool aims to help small businesses to decipher the often overwhelming information about dealing with intellectual property, detailing concepts in plain English.
Beyond this, Intellectual Property Explorer offers a practical guide to reviewing copyright, patents, trade marks and designs, as well as providing practical advice on how to sidestep commercial risks.
The tool presents small businesses with an online audit based on four principles – Investigate, Identify, Analyse and Improve.
Through Intellectual Property Explorer businesses can assess the things of value within the business and subsequently identify the various IP rights that apply.
The free tool was developed by IP Australia as an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Project, in conjunction with the governments of Hong Kong China and Singapore.
Australia plays an active role in APEC’s Intellectual Property Experts Group (IPEG), which initiated the tool as part of its work program to help small businesses build their capacity to engage in international trade.
