Business & Corporate Law
Protect and enforce your intellectual property rights.
Your brand, inventions, creative works, and trade secrets are valuable business assets. Whether you need to register a trademark, respond to an infringement threat, or pursue someone copying your IP — getting the right legal advice protects what you have built. Submit your request and get connected with an IP lawyer today.
⚠ Someone using your brand or IP without authorisation can cause immediate and lasting damage — the longer you wait, the harder infringement becomes to stop — submit your request now.
Does This Sound Like You?
Common situations we help with.
Someone is using your business name or logo
A competitor or other business is using a name, logo, or brand that is identical or deceptively similar to yours — causing confusion in the market and potentially diverting customers away from your business.
A competitor has copied your product design
Another business is selling a product that closely replicates your original design, packaging, or product features — whether protected as a registered design, trade mark, or through the law of passing off and the Australian Consumer Law.
A former employee has taken your confidential information
An employee who has left your business — or is about to — has taken client lists, pricing information, product specifications, or other confidential information, and you believe they are using it for their own benefit or a competitor's.
You need to register a trademark before you launch
You're about to launch a new business, product line, or brand — and you want to register your name and/or logo as a trademark with IP Australia before someone else does, and ensure there are no existing marks that could block your application or expose you to infringement claims.
You've received a patent infringement threat
Another party has written to you alleging that your product or process infringes their patent — and is threatening proceedings or demanding you cease production and pay damages. You need to understand whether the claim has merit and what your options are.
Your website content or creative works have been copied
Someone has reproduced your website copy, articles, photographs, software code, designs, or other original creative works without your permission — whether domestically or overseas. You want to know your rights and how to enforce them.
How It Works
Protect, register, and enforce your IP rights.
Describe your IP situation — whether it's registering a trademark, responding to an infringement letter, or pursuing someone who has copied your work. An IP lawyer will review your matter and advise on the best approach.
Submit Your IP RequestSubmit your request
Describe the IP at issue — trademark, patent, copyright, or trade secret — the problem you're facing, and whether any formal notices or proceedings have been issued.
Matched with an IP lawyer
Your request is reviewed and matched with an intellectual property lawyer experienced in the relevant IP type — trademark, patent, copyright, or trade secret law.
Advice, strategy, and action
Your lawyer assesses the strength of your position, advises on registration, enforcement, or defence strategy, and takes the agreed next steps on your behalf.
Register Early
A registered trademark gives you exclusive rights to use your brand in Australia — unregistered marks are much harder and more expensive to protect
All 8 States
Requests matched to specialist IP lawyers across every state and territory in Australia
Free
Initial consultation — understand your IP rights and options before committing to any action
10 Years
Duration of a registered trademark in Australia — renewable indefinitely every 10 years to maintain exclusive brand protection
Before You Register or Enforce
Practical questions about intellectual property in Australia.
How do I register a trademark in Australia through IP Australia? +
Trademark applications are filed through IP Australia, the Australian government's intellectual property agency. The process involves: selecting the goods and services classes you want to protect (using the Nice Classification system); filing the application; a formalities examination; a substantive examination where IP Australia assesses whether the mark is registrable; an opposition period (2 months) during which third parties can oppose registration; and final registration. The process typically takes 7–13 months. Legal advice before filing helps identify clearance issues, select the right classes, and avoid refusals.
What is the difference between a trademark, a business name, and a domain name? +
A business name registration with ASIC gives you the right to trade under a name in Australia — it does not give you exclusive rights to the name and does not prevent others from using it as a trademark. A domain name is simply an internet address — registering .com.au does not give you trademark rights. A registered trademark with IP Australia gives you enforceable, exclusive rights to use the mark in relation to the goods and services for which it is registered. Only trademark registration provides meaningful legal protection for your brand.
What does the patent application process involve and what does it cost? +
In Australia there are two types of patents: standard patents (20-year protection) and innovation patents (8-year protection, now being phased out for new applications). A standard patent application involves drafting patent claims and specifications, filing with IP Australia, an examination process, and registration. Professional patent attorney fees for drafting a complete application typically range from $8,000 to $20,000 or more depending on complexity, plus IP Australia filing fees. Patent applications require a registered patent attorney — IP lawyers advise on strategy, enforcement, and disputes.
What does copyright protect and for how long? +
In Australia, copyright automatically protects original literary works (including code), artistic works, musical works, dramatic works, cinematographic films, and sound recordings — without any registration requirement. Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself. For most works, copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. For works created under employment contracts, copyright generally vests in the employer. Copyright infringement — reproducing, adapting, or communicating a work without permission — entitles the copyright owner to damages or an account of profits.
How do I protect trade secrets without formal registration? +
Trade secrets — including customer lists, pricing models, formulas, and business processes — can be protected through the law of confidence and contractual obligations, without any formal registration. Protection depends on the information actually being kept confidential: access should be limited to those who need it, employees and contractors should sign NDAs and confidentiality clauses, and reasonable steps must be taken to maintain secrecy. Where a trade secret is misappropriated, equity provides remedies including injunctions and damages — but the strength of protection depends on the confidentiality measures actually in place.
How do I send a cease and desist letter for IP infringement? +
A cease and desist letter (or "cease and desist notice") from a lawyer puts the infringer on formal notice that you assert IP rights, identifies the IP being infringed, demands they stop the infringing conduct by a stated date, and warns of legal proceedings if they fail to comply. It creates a paper trail, can lead to quick resolution, and establishes your awareness and response for any future damages calculation. It's important the letter is carefully drafted — a poorly worded or legally incorrect letter can undermine your position. An IP lawyer will draft a letter that is accurate, proportionate, and effective.
Have a question not covered here? Submit your request and an IP lawyer will be in touch.
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