Thursday, 17 April 2008

The University of Western Australia is considering an appeal following a Federal Court judgement relating to the University's right to protect its investment in intellectual property developed by its staff.

The action against a former UWA employee Dr Bruce Gray and the company Sirtex claimed the ownership and profits arising from the exploitation of patents and other intellectual property developed by Dr Gray and others while he was an employee of the University.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the University initiated the action following independent legal advice in order to protect its intellectual property and to uphold its regulations on ownership of patents developed by its staff.

"The University's course of action was a matter of principle that had important ramifications for the protection of intellectual property and the flow-on benefits of university-initiated research to the broader community," Professor Robson said.

Professor Robson said the judgement was complex and required detailed consideration before further comment could be made.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  61 8  6488 5563  /  0432 637 716

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