Member Login - Account - Logout

Science and Technology Australia
  • Home
  • About STA
    • Who is STA?
    • Our history
    • Alliances and Partnerships
    • Board and Executive
    • Governance
    • Work for us
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshop
    • STEM Ambassadors
  • Events
    • Science Meets Parliament 2023
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Join STA
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
    • Media
  • Home
  • About STA
    • Who is STA?
    • Our history
    • Alliances and Partnerships
    • Board and Executive
    • Governance
    • Work for us
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Reports and publications
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
    • Super STEM communicator workshop
    • STEM Ambassadors
  • Events
    • Science Meets Parliament 2023
  • Membership
    • Our Members
    • Why be a member?
    • Member Benefits Program
    • Join STA
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
    • Media
20 October 2021

Malleable, not mandatory: simpler IP agreements

Image by Edar on Pixabay.
Image by Edar on Pixabay.

Universities and industry need a flexible guiding intellectual property framework to propel further commercialisation, not the handbrake of mandatory one-size-fits-all templates, the nation’s peak body for science and technology has said.

In its submission to the University Research Commercialisation Scheme Working Group, Science & Technology Australia has called for proposed new standard IP templates to retain crucial flexibility to negotiate variations.

While welcoming moves to make it easier for industry and researchers to collaborate, STA has cautioned strongly against adopting a rigid mandatory framework.

“Negotiating IP agreements can be complex and time consuming – so having standard templates as a guide to start that process is helpful,” said STA Chief Executive Officer Misha Schubert.

“But that shouldn’t tie the hands of the parties and strip them of the freedom to negotiate variations that suit them – a one-size-fits-all template won’t be right for every commercial situation.”

“Just as with employment contracts, there will often be cases where both parties want to start with a standard contract but vary some of the terms.” 

“Governments shouldn’t be tying the hands of the parties by making a standard agreement mandatory – sensible flexibility should be kept.” 

The Fair Work Commission produces standard employment contracts as a resource, but employers and employees can vary the terms to suit their business and personal circumstances, so long as the minimum legal employment standards are met. 

“Used in a non-mandatory way, an IP framework and templates could simplify and speed up the process for researchers and universities, and encourage industry to commercialise more great Australian ideas and innovations.”

Other key recommendations from STA’s submission include:

  • Include a simple-language explanation outlining the reason and effect of contract clauses with the template to assist industry partners, plus offer webinars to build skills and knowledge on effective research translation.
  • Develop a robust IP Assignment Deed for PhD students.
  • Offer indicative average royalty figures to assist both industry and universities to arrive at a fair arrangement quickly.

The full submission is available here.

Share
intellectual property IP research commercialisation submission submissions
Previous StoryThree impressive senior STEM leaders appointed to the STA Board
Next StoryElection 2022: Bold R&D investment key to jobs and growth

Related Articles

  • IMG_7949
    Mark Hutchinson: National Press Club Address
  • Mark&Team_009
    Strong returns on investment from research commercialisation: new analysis

ABOUT US

Science & Technology Australia (STA) is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. We represent more than 105,000 scientists and technologists. STA is an influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy.

Recent news

  • Campus Plus, Science & Technology Australia and Cruxes Innovation to deliver industry PhD program
  • Meet the Mastermind Behind mRNA at Science Meets Parliament
  • MPs and Senators hear how batteries could power Australia’s economic future

Our members

  • All Members
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • General Science and Technology
  • Geographical and Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Cognitive Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Plant and Ecological Sciences
  • Technological Sciences

Search for news

Most popular

  • Campus Plus, Science & Technology Australia and Cruxes Innovation to deliver industry PhD program
  • Meet Australia’s newest Superstars of STEM
  • Meet the Mastermind Behind mRNA at Science Meets Parliament
  • Commercialisation connector & research rockstar to lead STA
  • MPs and Senators hear how batteries could power Australia’s economic future

Sign up to our newsletter

STA PRIVACY POLICY

OTHER STA POLICIES

Twitter feed

  • Membership and events star? 💫 We have an incredible opportunity for you! Come work with the nation’s peak body for… https://t.co/Fmyke3styo
  • RT @DIP_SouthAust: A fantastic opportunity for engagement between the #STEM sectors and policymakers! Register before 27 January for Early…
  • RT @OzCvA: Early bird registration for the 2023 @ScienceAU Science Meets Parliament. Special rate until Fri 27 Jan 👇👇
  • RT @DSI_VIC: Expertise in #biotech, health, #genomics, #bioinformatics, synthetic biol, advanced manufacturing, ag, #biosecurity? Don't mis…
Follow us
The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) trading as Science & Technology Australia (STA) is an association incorporated under the ACT Associations Act.

ABN 71 626 822 845
Registered charity logo
Click here for more info
  • HOME
  • News and media releases
  • Become a member
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 Science & Technology Australia. All Rights Reserved