Intellectual property law protects patents, trade marks, copyright, trade secrets and other creations of the mind. It addresses ownership, infringement, licensing and unlawful use.
Under Australian trade mark, copyright and plant breeder’s rights legislation, counterfeiting and piracy can constitute criminal offences.
Offences may include falsifying or falsely applying a registered trade mark, altering or removing a trade mark, producing equipment used to falsify marks, or knowingly selling, possessing, distributing or importing counterfeit goods.
Offences may include knowingly importing, possessing, selling, distributing or commercially dealing with infringing copies or software.