Picture this – you're an inventor who’s come up with an idea you know is going to change the world and make you rich. You’ve put together a great prototype and a solid product name – but how can you take it to the next level?

In this episode of From Idea to Intellectual Property, we explore how inventors can and should use the IP system to turn their great ideas into big business with the right advice and financial backers.

Host Lisa Leong is joined by Griffith Hack Principal David Hughes, who provides his insight on how inventors should approach IP strategy to boost their businesses through every step of the journey. In addition, Curtin University Executive Director Rohan McDougall provides insight on the pathway from innovation to commercialisation. Griffith Hack has been a long term sponsor of Curtin University’s “Curtinnovation” Award, which awards inventors at Curtin University a cash prize and support in taking their innovations to market.

For First Nations people, cultural appropriation remains a major issue, and Western intellectual property protections continue to fall short of managing infringement.

In this episode of From Idea to Intellectual Property, we explore the IP of indigenous knowledge and cultural expression, and the tools in place that can help protect these cultural treasures while ensuring that indigenous communities retain control over their heritage.

Host Lisa Leong is joined by Smart & Biggar Associate Meika Ellis, who specialises in collaborating with indigenous peoples, businesses and organisations to create protections for their culture and knowledge. Here, they discuss the complexities of protecting and preserving this knowledge, and its unique place in the world of IP.

One of the most costly trade mark infringements that commercial businesses face is the “dupe”, “fake” or “fraud” - duplicate, false or fraudulent products intent on poaching consumers at a lower price point (and often poorer quality).

In this episode of From Idea to Intellectual Property, we assess the recent dupe explosion, brought on by the rise of online marketplaces on apps like TikTok, coupled with influencer marketing and fast fashion brands. The price point and easy access to dupes makes them a difficult temptation for consumers to resist, and their prevalence makes monitoring infringement a challenging task.

Host Lisa Leong is joined by Kristin Carden, Director of FernMark at New Zealand Story, the New Zealand Government agency responsible for upholding the Silver Fern trade mark, an iconic piece of imagery for the nation.

Lisa is also joined by AJ Park Principal and Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group Leader Thomas Huthwaite. Here, he discusses the evolution of tracking down dupes, and how the landscape has changed with the increase of online marketplaces.

This episode unpacks the importance of protecting brand imagery, and the challenges involved in implementing these protections in an increasingly fraudulent online world.