(Transitional) Intellectual Property Policy

The purpose of our (Transitional) Intellectual Property Policy

On 8 March 2024, Adelaide University was established as a new entity under the Adelaide University Act 2023.  Adelaide University is a new university for the future, built through a process of engagement with the existing foundation universities of The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

This policy will apply during the transition period of establishing Adelaide University following the date staff transfer (the transfer date) from foundation universities to Adelaide University.

Who our policy applies to

• Adelaide University staff
• Adelaide University students
• Adelaide University titleholders

Our (Transitional) Intellectual Property Policy

We recognise the importance of upholding the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 and are committed to fostering a research culture and environment which is open, inclusive, innovative and collaborative.

Activities undertaken by Adelaide University staff, students, or titleholders which involve the creation, development, utilisation, sharing and/or commercialisation of Intellectual Property (IP) will follow the IP policy of the foundation university with which the Adelaide University staff member, student, or titleholder is employed, engaged or otherwise associated.

The IP policies of the Foundation Universities are as follows:

University of Adelaide:

• Intellectual Property Policy

University of South Australia:

• Intellectual Property: Ownership and Management Policy

Definitions used in our procedure

Foundation universities means The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

Student means a person enrolled in an Enabling Program, award or non-award coursework study, a graduate research program, or a short course or microcredential at Adelaide University.

Titleholder means any person upon whom Adelaide University has conferred an honorary academic title.

Transfer date means the date that the employment of staff employed with the foundation universities is transferred to Adelaide University.

Professional Staff

• 18 January 2025, University of South Australia
• 25 January 2025, The University of Adelaide

Academic staff 

• 3 May 2025, The University of Adelaide
• 10 May 2025, University of South Australia

Transition period means the period following transfer date until Adelaide University operations commence.

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

How our procedure is governed 

This policy is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

Legislation and other documents related to this procedure

Adelaide University Act (2023)

Copyright act 1968

Copyright regulations 2017

Trade Marks Act 1995

Trade Marks Regulations 1995

Patents Act 1990

Patents Regulations 1991

Designs Act 2003

Designs Regulations 2004

Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994

Plant Breeder's Rights Regulations 1994

Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018

National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research

Higher Education Research Commercialisation Intellectual Property Framework - Department of Education, Australian Government

AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research  

History of changes

At the time of writing, the organisational structure, positions, committees etc for Adelaide University have not been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose position titles in this procedure until position titles for Adelaide University are confirmed.