The IP Australia Podcast - Empowering your great ideas

#6: Navigating the design rights application process (feat. Heiych)

In this episode, Laura King, founder of Heiych, joins host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) and shares her experience registering design rights, working with manufacturers, protecting confidential information, and navigating challenges while growing her business.

Later in the episode, designs examiners Laura Majer and Euan Bowen join Lisa for a practical look at what happens after filing a design application.

They explore Australia's two-step design rights system, including registration, certification, enforcement, common application issues, and the key considerations for businesses protecting their products.

You'll learn the difference between registration and certification, how priority dates help establish protection, when certification may be needed to enforce your rights, and what to expect from the application process.

The episode also covers common mistakes with product descriptions and representations, the importance of confidentiality, and how design rights can support broader business objectives.

In this episode, we cover:

(01:32) - Heiych founder Laura King's experience registering design rights

(11:54) - the two-step process of registration and certification

(15:37) - when and why certification may be required to enforce a design right

(17:28) - the role of priority dates and how protection is established

(20:21) - realistic application and examination timeframes

(21:09) - common application issues and how to respond to adverse reports

(22:05) - confidentiality, grace periods and protecting designs before filing

(25:44) - how to prepare effective representations and product descriptions.

Further reading:

Tools to explore:

For general enquiries, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au.

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

29m - Nov 5, 2026

#5: Understanding design rights

What is a design right, and when should you consider one? This podcast episode explains design protection, why timing matters and differences from copyright.

In this episode, designs examiners Laura Majer and Euan Bowen from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to explore the fundamentals of design rights and why they matter for businesses that design, manufacture or sell physical products.

You'll learn what design rights protect, who should consider them, and how they fit within a broader intellectual property (IP) strategy alongside trade marks and patents.

The discussion highlights the importance of planning early, keeping designs confidential before filing, and understanding how registered designs can become valuable assets that help deter copycats, attract investment and strengthen a business's competitive position.

Drawing on their experience as designs examiners, Laura and Euan also unpack common misconceptions about design rights, including the role they can play when copyright may not provide the protection business expect.

In this episode, we explore:

(01:55) - what design rights do and do not protect

(04:29) - who should consider design protection and when it may be relevant

(06:48) - why timing matters and the risks of disclosing a design too early

(10:11) - the importance of confidentiality agreements when working with manufacturers and suppliers

(12:59) - how design rights can support investment and form part of a broader IP strategy

(15:42) - why design-led businesses are particularly vulnerable to copying

(17:53) - common misconceptions about design rights and copyright

(22:22) - the value of searching existing designs before investing in a new product.

Further reading:

Tools to explore:

For general enquiries, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au.

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

23m - Nov 5, 2026

#4: Registering your patent and what comes next

What’s involved in applying for a patent and managing it afterwards.

Building on Episode 3, which explores the benefits of patent protection, this episode takes you through the patent application process, highlights common mistakes and explores options for commercialising a patented invention.

Host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) continues the conversation with patent examiners Lachlan Lo and Samantha Saals from IP Australia, who share practical insights on creating a strong IP strategy. This episode also features the story of Scoot Boot – an Australian business that expanded globally by securing patent protection across multiple jurisdictions.

Whether you’re working independently or collaborating with others, this episode explores how to maximise the value of your invention once patent protection is in place.

In this episode, we explore:

(01:59) key steps in the standard patent application process

(05:14) common mistakes and how to avoid them

(06:54) managing rejections and waiting periods

(10:35) international patent protection

(13:26) responsibilities as a patent owner

(15:20) infringement, collaboration and commercialisation considerations

(20:51) collaboration and IP ownership agreements.

Further reading:

Tools to explore:

For general enquiries about intellectual property, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

24m - Jan 15, 2026

#3: Making sense of patents and protecting your invention

How patents work and when protection may be right for you.

In this episode, patent examiners Samantha Saals and Lachlan Lo from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to explain how patents can help protect inventions and support business growth.

Whether you're developing a new product, process or technology, you’ll learn what patents are, how they can give you a competitive edge, and how to determine whether patent protection is right for your business.

The episode also explores iconic Australian inventions – such as Wi-Fi, polymer banknotes and the cochlear implant – and the role patents played in their development and success.

In this episode, we explore:

(02:08) what patents are and how they work

(05:58) what makes an invention patentable

(07:47) the value of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

(09:32) the role and benefits of provisional patent applications

(10:31) checking novelty and understanding your protection options

(18:45) the benefits of an international type search

(23:16) costs, risks and considerations when applying for a patent

(25:44) understanding claims in patent applications

(27:03) things to do before applying for a patent.

Further reading:

Tools to explore:

For general enquiries about intellectual property, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

34m - Jan 15, 2026

#2: Registering your trade mark to protect your business identity

Explore what trade marks are and how they can safeguard your business identity.

In this episode, trade mark examiners Simon Gough and Brooke Larnach from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to explain how registered trade marks can help protect your brand.

You’ll learn what a trade mark is, how to register one and how trade mark protection can support your business strategy, help you stand out in the market and grow with confidence.

Practical examples are shared, including how businesses like Huskee and Soap de Villa protect their brand names and logos through comprehensive trade mark registration.

Our examiners also draw on their experience reviewing hundreds of trade mark applications to highlight common misconceptions and key things to avoid when applying for a trade mark.

In this episode, we explore:

(01:42) Trade mark basics and common misconceptions

(06:41) Benefits of registering a trade mark

(09:53) The difference between a registered business name and a registered trade mark

(12:33) International trade mark protection

(17:32) Defining trade mark distinctiveness

(20:40) Huskee and Soap de Villa’s approach to brand protection

(22:13) Choosing the right classes for your goods and services

(31:53) What to do if someone infringes on your trade mark.

Further reading:

Tools to explore:

For general enquiries about intellectual property, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

S1E2 - 34m - Jan 14, 2026

#1: Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) and why it matters to small business

Learn how intellectual property (IP) rights can help protect and grow your small business.

In this episode, Nabil Ilahee and Keeley Pasfield from IP Australia join host Lisa Cohen (Director of Public Education) to introduce the world of intellectual property.

You’ll learn how patents, trade marks, design rights and plant breeder’s rights can help protect your brand, build business value and support sustainable growth, sharing practical insights and real world examples.

Tune in to take the first step toward protecting your competitive advantage and making informed IP decisions.

In this episode, we explore:

(01:55) - what is intellectual property, and how can it support your competitive advantage

(06:10) - how to identify your IP assets

(12:11) - benefits of intellectual property rights for businesses

(16:30) - risks of not securing IP rights

(22:45) - when to apply for IP rights

(24:33) - length of protection of different IP rights

(26:35) - infringement and enforcement of IP rights

(28:26) - key takeaways for getting started.

Further reading:

Tools to explore:

For general enquiries about IP, call 1300 651 010 or email outreach@ipaustralia.gov.au

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is intended only to provide generalised information about intellectual property principles, and is not to be taken as legal, business or other professional advice. We do not accept legal responsibility regarding the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, and if you require guidance specific to your situation, you should consider seeking professional advice.

S1E1 - 30m - Jan 14, 2026