'Intellectual property' is a broad term that describes the laws which protect products of people’s imagination and creativity.
The main forms of intellectual property include:
- copyright
- patents
- designs
- trademarks
- circuit layouts
- new plant varieties
- confidential information.
The Intellectual Property Regulations provides the framework for management of intellectual property at Victoria University.
Under the Australian Copyright Act 1968, the owner of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, sound recordings, films and broadcasts have exclusive rights which allow them to:
- reproduce/copy a work
- publish
- perform in public
- communicate the work to the public via electronic means – including making it available online or sending via email.
Victoria University’s Copyright Policy provides a framework for university staff and students for using third party copyright material for educational and research purposes.
The Library offers access to guides and information about referencing and the use of copyright materials, as well as references tools and programs.
More information about aspects of copyright is available at the Australian Copyright Council’s website. They have Information Sheets available on a range of copyright related topics including using the internet, maps and charts, moral rights, research or study and YouTube. Information can be found by searching a particular Category, or by Fact Sheets or books.