The case studies are a collection of uniquely Australian stories about innovation, intellectual property and how Australians have protected their ideas.
From the fiercely protected
"Coffee Club" trade mark, to the pink glow of "Eagle Boys", these case studies describe some of the heroes in the Australian intellectual property scene.
The indexed list contains a brief description of each case study and a link to a PDF file that you can download.
If you can’t keep a secret, then it could cost you.
Says Danny Ashbolt, from engineering company L&R Ashbolt, “My father lost potentially millions of dollars when he founded the company in 1972. Back then, people were not so aware of the importance of IP rights, such as trade secrets. Dad developed technology for BHP, which is now accepted as an industry standard around the world. BHP took that technology in-house and Dad got no recognition – or financial reward.”
Now it’s a different story.
Suitable for upper primary and lower secondary with a focus on patents, international patents and trade secrets for science.
Füritechnics - Cutting edge technology protected and exploited worldwide
Professional chef’s knives may not seem like an obvious field for technological innovation. However, prominent chefs are viewing the Füri knife as a major revolution in knife technology.
Mark Henry invented the technology and invented the business around it – and protected both with IP rights.
Suitable for upper primary and lower secondary with a focus on business, trade marks, designs, patents and international patents. Good introduction to integrating IP rights as part of a business strategy.
Garnock Engineering Co Pty Ltd - Looking for a new way to make $$?
If you are looking at an idea for a business, consider buying the rights to an invention – take a risk on a new idea like the guys at Garnock Engineering.
Suitable for upper primary and lower secondary with a focus on business, trade marks, copyright, patents and international patents (PCT).
Blundstone Footwear - IP rights at the soul of Blundstone's business strategy
City or country dweller, just about everyone has heard of Blundstone Footwear. It’s a company name and an Australian trade mark of almost legendary status.
Suitable for upper primary and lower secondary with a focus on Australian history and international patents and trade marks.
Copper Stopper - Profits from a plug? Not just a pipedream
It is often those simple, patented products that make a motza in the marketplace. Simple may be, but no one else thought of it. So why give away what could be a very profitable business?
Suitable for upper primary with a focus on business, patents and trade marks. Easy introduction to patents and trade marks.
Cash Engineering - Selling IP - it's all about fear and greed
As Tony Kitchener, MD Cash Engineering says,”Making a living from IP is both wonderful and awful. Licensing intellectual property is basically about getting the fear and greed levels balanced between both parties.
Suitable for lower secondary with a focus on business, patents and licensing. Good introduction to licensing, with talk of fear and greed. The sense that business negotiations are a bit of a game of dare might add appeal.
Dome Group of Companies - Wake up and smell the IP
For John Groppoli, one of four directors of the Dome‚ Group of Companies, the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans is the smell of intellectual property.
Suitable for lower secondary with a focus on business, trade secrets, copyright, trade marks and their infringement.
