Corrs In Brief: Duty to conduct academic research does not include a duty to invent (update)

10 September 2009

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On 17 April 2008, Justice French delivered the Federal Court’s decision in University of Western Australia v Gray. The decision raises doubts regarding a university’s ability to claim ownership of inventions created by its research staff. The decision also casts into doubt the effectiveness of university regulations which purport to assign to the university the rights in intellectual property produced by its staff. This article discusses the decision in the first instance and the decision in the Full Federal Court appeal handed down in September 2009. Corrs Senior Associate Frances Wheelahan investigates.

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This article provides information about topical legal issues.
Information contained in this article is intended as an introduction only and should not be relied on in place of legal advice.