IMPORTANT Changes to Intellectual Property

Following University-wide consultation, the University of Melbourne has recently updated its Intellectual Property (IP) Policy (MPF1320) with a focus on:

  • Providing increased clarity on IP for graduate research,
  • Ensuring that the policy is fit for purpose in light of increased entrepreneurial and start-up activity across the University, and
  • Setting clear expectations regarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

As a graduate research supervisor, some of the updates to the policy that introduce new requirements for you and incoming graduate researchers.

In particular, for any candidates who are sent an offer on or after 1 October this year, you will need to have discussed ownership of IP as part of the candidate selection process. This is explained in detail below.

The changes to our IP Policy recognise that research is increasingly collaborative, multi-disciplinary, or externally sponsored, and on this basis, aim to make it easier for graduate researchers to take their research into commercialisation pathways. These changes bring the University’s approach to IP management in line with practice across the sector while preserving key features such as allocating a significant share in the value of the IP to the inventors.

What are the key changes relating to graduate research IP management?

Graduate researchers who receive a candidature offer dated on or after 1 October 2023 will be required to complete a Prospective IP Assignment Deed during the enrolment process, where their research:

  • is subject to a contracted agreement; or
  • as a condition of participating in collaborative research activities (with some limited exceptions).  

Note that supervisory advice and guidance alone does not meet the definition of Collaborative Research Activity, so a candidate who is pursuing an independent project that is neither contracted, undertaken as part of a team, nor dependent on University background IP will not need to do an assignment.

Currently enrolled Graduate Researchers

Graduate researchers who are currently enrolled or those who receive an offer dated prior to 1 October 2023 will not be required to complete a Prospective IP Assignment Deed. However, they retain the option to assign their IP to the University, enabling them to benefit from the University’s expertise and support to translate their research.

Supervisory responsibilities for IP Management

Under the new IP Policy, supervisors will be required to ensure that graduate researchers are aware of the specific arrangements that apply to their research project, as well their broader obligations under the Policy.

For incoming prospective candidates (those who receive a Letter of Offer dated on or after 1 October 2023), supervisors must discuss IP arrangements during the Admissions Selection Interview, and ensure that these arrangements are accurately documented in the Graduate Research Admissions Assessment Form. Information appropriate to the IP arrangements will be included in applicants’ offer letters, including when relevant the requirement to complete an IP Assignment Deed.

Where graduate researchers are required to complete an IP Assignment Deed, principal supervisors should ensure that the deed is completed before the graduate researcher commences the relevant research activity. Principal supervisors will receive a notification email when a Deed has been signed.

Where to find more information

As with any change, we anticipate you will have questions, and we are committed to supporting you in your supervisory role.

Information and resources, including Frequently Asked Questions and Supervisor Guidelines, have been prepared to assist you in meeting your responsibilities, and can be accessed on the Graduate research IP management page on the Staff Hub.

Please review the information and materials available so you can communicate confidently with prospective graduate researchers about the IP arrangements that apply to their research projects.

A dedicated temporary mailbox (Student IP Assign: ipassign-students@unimelb.edu.au) has been established for Faculty staff including supervisors, to direct questions that are not addressed in the materials.  

We encourage you to attend one of the upcoming webinars (which will be recorded) or the in person information session to learn more about these changes. Please register via the links below: