Skip to main content

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property (IP) is, in a nutshell, what your mind or intellect creates.  This property is protected at law by what are known as IP rights.  When you enrol at Monash University you agree to be bound by its rules.  One such rule relates to IP ownership.  This regime is relevant mostly to research students.

It is important to note that Monash University makes no claim to copyright in a thesis.

However, you may be asked to assign (meaning give away) your IP to Monash when:

  • You invent something using university funding, resources, facilities, apparatus, enabling the research which resulted in the invention;
  • IP belonging to Monash was used by you to create the IP; or
  • when the IP belongs to a third party, such as an industry partner or sponsor.

The trigger which requires a student to assign their IP is ‘collaborative activity’, which is very broad but does not include supervision per-se, or access to generic resources. You can view Monash University’s policy and procedures on intellectual property online.

What about authorship?

Authorship works in a slightly different way to IP ownership at Monash.  Authorship is not strictly speaking IP, but it is mentioned in the Copyright legislation.

Monash University has a policy and procedure which all research students should read. Please refer to our authorship page for more information.

I think my IP is at risk, what can I do?

If your IP is at risk, you should make sure to seek qualified advice from an IP lawyer. You can find a lawyer using the Referral Service of the Law Institute Victoria.

 

Please note:

MGA Advocates no longer advise on Intellectual Property matters.

If your IP is at risk, you should make sure to seek qualified advice from an IP lawyer. You can find a lawyer using the Referral Service of the Law Institute Victoria.

The MGA team

Got a question or request about anything at all? Get in contact with one of our staff members – we’d love to hear from you. Alternatively, drop by the MGA office at Clayton or Caulfield so we can help!

Meet your current elected representatives

Curious to know who’s representing you at the moment? Get to know your elected representatives, what they do and how you can get involved.

Work for the MGA

The MGA employs Monash graduate students to fill the receptionist roles at the Clayton and Caulfield offices. When a vacancy arises we advertise the position through our email newsletter and on our website.

The Monash Graduate Association (MGA) is the representative body for all graduate research and coursework students enrolled at Monash University. So, what sets us apart from the University services? The MGA is an independent, not-for-profit association governed by graduate students, for graduate students. Our primary aim is to be there for you! If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Get in touch with us
What are you looking for?
Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our four Australian campuses stand and their continuing connection to the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.