Western Australian Government Intellectual Property Policy

The rights of those who create IP are protected by law to ensure they receive recognition and financial reward for the use of their IP.

The activities of government or public sector agencies often leads to the development of publications, new technologies, scientific discoveries and innovations. The resulting IP is a valuable asset with many applications and potential benefits for the WA community.

Examples of WA Government IP include:

• copyright protected publications
• advertising material, artwork and photographs
• training materials
• software, computer programs and databases
• inventions and plant breeders rights
• trademarks and designs.

The WA Government IP Policy guides WA government agencies in the development, protection, management and use of IP and IP rights.

The WA Government IP Policy applies to the public sector as defined under the Public Sector Management Act 1994, which includes:

• all agencies (departments and Senior Executive Service organisations)
• Ministerial offices
• non-SES (Senior Executive Service) organisations.

The policy does not apply to entities listed in Schedule 1 of the Public Sector Management Act such as the Water Corporation and Port Authorities.

WA public sector agencies involved in science and medical research often enter into partnerships with universities and research institutes to develop IP. While the scope of the WA Government IP Policy does not extend to these partners, these organisations are encouraged to consider this policy.

The IP Agency Toolkit includes guidance resources to help WA Government agencies understand and implement the requirements of the WA Government IP Policy.

The toolkit includes explanatory guides focusing on key IP concepts and processes and a selection of customisable templates and checklists.