MEDIA RELEASE

Defence Gets Smart About Knowledge Rights

Defence has established a policy and support centre to develop a new approach to Intellectual Property (IP) issues across the portfolio.

Announcing the new centre today, the Head of Industry and Procurement Infrastructure Division, Dr Graham Kearns, said the policy and support centre's first task is to revise and refocus IP policy.

Dr Kearns called for public comment to help develop a Defence Intellectual Property Policy. A paper will be posted on the Defence Acquisition Organisation's IPI website at [ site no longer available ] by the end of December.

"Defence and its partners in industry need access to some of the world's most advanced military and civilian IP so they can create, modify and integrate complex technologies for use by the Australian Defence Force," he said.

"This will be critical to Defence acquiring and maintaining the 'knowledge edge' – our highest force development priority."

Dr Kearns said establishment of the new Intellectual Property Policy and Support Centre (IP PSC) was an initiative of the Federal Government's Defence and industry Strategic Policy Statement.

"It has been formed from a core group of IP managers within the Defence Acquisition Organisation," he said, "and is supplemented by 'virtual members' from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Defence Headquarters and Support Command Australia.

"Key stakeholders will guide and champion IP management throughout Defence. They will eventually include representatives of Defence related industry, Defence programs and the Australian Government Solicitor."

In addition to revising and refocusing IP policy, the policy and support centre will manage application of the policy across Defence. It will:

• Guide and promote the development of intellectual property management strategies;
• Evaluate Defence's access to required IP; and
• Assist in resolving major IP cases.

Further information . . .

Bruce Porter (Director Intellectual Property): (02) 6266 2078
E-mail: Bruce.porter@dao.defence.gov.au