The IP Australia Podcast - Empowering your great ideas

#4: Registering your patent and what comes next

What’s involved in applying for a patent and managing it afterwards. Building on Episode 3, which explores the benefits of patent protection, this episode takes you through the patent application process, highlights common mistakes and explores options for commercialising a patented invention.  Host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) continues the conversation with patent examiners Lachlan Lo and Samantha Saals from IP Australia, who share practical insights on creating a strong IP strategy. This episode also features the story of Scoot Boot – an Australian business that expanded globally by securing patent protection across multiple jurisdictions.  Whether you’re working independently or collaborating with others, this episode explores how to maximise the value of your invention once patent protection is in place. In this episode, we explore: (01:59) key steps in the standard patent application process  (05:14) common mistakes and how to avoid them  (06:54) managing rejections and waiting periods  (10:35) international patent protection  (13:26) responsibilities as a patent owner  (15:20) infringement, collaboration and commercialisation considerations  (20:51) collaboration and IP ownership agreements.  Further reading: * How to commercialise my IP [https://bit.ly/46R5qVC] * Commercialisation and collaboration [https://bit.ly/46R5uVm] * The Patent Cooperation Treaty [https://bit.ly/3Kn9Ls9] * Patents Case Studies [https://bit.ly/489PsIl] * IP Infringement [https://bit.ly/3IIzE54] Tools to explore: * Non-Disclosure Contract Generator [https://bit.ly/46KWf9b] * Get a free consultation with IPTA [https://ipta.org.au/community/get-free-consultation/] * Patent Case Management Service [https://bit.ly/46NzfGE] * IP Australia First Response [https://bit.ly/3NyESCk] * Small Business, Big Dreams factsheet [https://bit.ly/3IOPP0y] For general enquiries about intellectual property, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au [outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au]   Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

#3: Making sense of patents and protecting your invention

How patents work and when protection may be right for you.  In this episode, patent examiners Samantha Saals and Lachlan Lo from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to explain how patents can help protect inventions and support business growth.  Whether you're developing a new product, process or technology, you’ll learn what patents are, how they can give you a competitive edge, and how to determine whether patent protection is right for your business.  The episode also explores iconic Australian inventions – such as Wi-Fi, polymer banknotes and the cochlear implant – and the role patents played in their development and success.  In this episode, we explore: (02:08) what patents are and how they work  (05:58) what makes an invention patentable  (07:47) the value of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)  (09:32) the role and benefits of provisional patent applications  (10:31) checking novelty and understanding your protection options  (18:45) the benefits of an international type search  (23:16) costs, risks and considerations when applying for a patent  (25:44) understanding claims in patent applications  (27:03) things to do before applying for a patent.  Further reading: * History of innovation in Australia [https://bit.ly/46wekcc]  * Patents Case Studies [https://bit.ly/3IAuOXB]  * International Intellectual Property [https://bit.ly/4pQpGiD]  * The Patent Cooperation Treaty [https://bit.ly/4nXojgk]  * Patent cost and timings [https://bit.ly/4nYqz7d]  * Australian IP Report 2025 [https://bit.ly/4gLXbi0]  Tools to explore: * Patent Case Management Service [https://bit.ly/4gLWN34]  * Patent search tools – Australian Patent Search, [https://bit.ly/4nTQOLR] Google Patents [https://patents.google.com/], [https://ipsearch.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/] Espacenet – Patent Search [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/]  * Get a free consultation with IPTA [https://ipta.org.au/community/get-free-consultation/]  * Non-Disclosure Contract Generator [https://bit.ly/3IoZElZ]  * IP Australia First Response [https://bit.ly/4pEZYww]  * Small Business, Big Dreams factsheet [https://bit.ly/42kImgB]  For general enquiries about intellectual property, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au [outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au]   Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

#2: Registering your trade mark to protect your business identity

Explore what trade marks are and how they can safeguard your business identity.   In this episode, trade mark examiners Simon Gough and Brooke Larnach from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to explain how registered trade marks can help protect your brand.  You’ll learn what a trade mark is, how to register one and how trade mark protection can support your business strategy, help you stand out in the market and grow with confidence.  Practical examples are shared, including how businesses like Huskee and Soap de Villa protect their brand names and logos through comprehensive trade mark registration.  Our examiners also draw on their experience reviewing hundreds of trade mark applications to highlight common misconceptions and key things to avoid when applying for a trade mark.  In this episode, we explore:  (01:42) Trade mark basics and common misconceptions  (06:41) Benefits of registering a trade mark    (09:53) The difference between a registered business name and a registered trade mark  (12:33) International trade mark protection  (17:32) Defining trade mark distinctiveness  (20:40) Huskee and Soap de Villa’s approach to brand protection  (22:13) Choosing the right classes for your goods and services  (31:53) What to do if someone infringes on your trade mark.  Further reading:  * Trade Marks Case Studies [https://bit.ly/4mMxVd5]  * Trade mark timeframes and fees [https://bit.ly/4mN7QKS]  * What are classes of goods and services? [https://bit.ly/42S6Vl3]  * Get professional assistance with your IP [https://bit.ly/4mGXAn6]  * The Madrid System [https://bit.ly/4mGXAn6]  Tools to explore:  * TM Checker: Free trade mark availability check [https://bit.ly/4nuIgvb]  * Trade Marks Classification Search [https://bit.ly/4q3RHDI]  * Australian Trade Mark Search [https://bit.ly/46u5qfc]  * .au Domain Administration | auDA [https://www.auda.org.au/]  * Get a free consultation with IPTA [https://ipta.org.au/community/get-free-consultation/]  * IP Australia First Response [https://bit.ly/3Yr1IOL]  * Small Business, Big Dreams brochure [https://bit.ly/3WncPa5]  For general enquiries about intellectual property, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au [outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au]   Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

#1: Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) and why it matters to small business

Learn how intellectual property (IP) can help protect and grow your small business.   In this episode, Nabil Ilahee and Keeley Pasfield from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to introduce the world of intellectual property.    You’ll learn how patents, trade marks, design rights and plant breeder’s rights can help protect your brand, build business value and support sustainable growth, sharing practical insights and real world examples.   Tune in to take the first step toward protecting your competitive advantage and making informed IP decisions. In this episode, we explore: (01:55) - what is intellectual property, and how can it support your competitive advantage    (06:10) - how to identify your IP assets  (12:11) - benefits of intellectual property rights for businesses  (16:30) - risks of not securing IP rights  (22:45) - when to apply for IP rights  (24:33) - length of protection of different IP rights  (26:35) - infringement and enforcement of IP rights  (28:26) - key takeaways for getting started. Further reading:  * IP Basics Factsheets  [https://bit.ly/4mN1SJY] * Small Business Case Studies  [https://bit.ly/4q3M08O] * Australian IP Report 2025 [https://bit.ly/4nvNrv2] Tools to explore:  * Choosing the right IP tool  [https://bit.ly/4nvtfJL] * Non-Disclosure Contract Generator  [https://bit.ly/4nvtfJL] * TM Checker: Free trade mark availability check  [https://bit.ly/3KsdEMk] * Australian Patent Search  [https://bit.ly/46QQ9UF] * Australian Design Search  [https://bit.ly/46QQ9UF] * Australian Plant Breeder's Rights Search  [https://bit.ly/3IrPWzf] * Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Regulation  [https://bit.ly/4gLWG7E] * IP Australia First Response  [https://bit.ly/44XGNq7] * Small Business, Big Dreams brochure  [https://bit.ly/44XGNq7] For general enquiries about IP, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au [outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au]   Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.