Employee responsibilities

Government employees should be aware of, and actively consider, IP assets created for or by their agency or used by their agency. IP management is relevant to all work areas. Therefore, Queensland Government employees should consider IP in everything they do.

Examples of situations that require employees to consider, or seek help with, IP

Example 1

Activity: Engaging contractors, consultants, vendors and other suppliers of systems, products or services, and including IP clauses in agreements with them.

Employees responsible: Procurement and Legal

Example 2

Activity: Licensing copyright material for publication.

Employees responsible: Communications, General business and Legal

The Queensland Government encourages the dissemination and re-use of its published, public information. Government copyright material published for public use is provided under a Creative Commons 4.0 international licence, with the copyright by attribution (CC BY) licence is used as the default licence, when appropriate. Licences in use on Crown copyright material include:

• a Creative Commons 4.0 international licence, when appropriate
• a customised agreement, used if IP protection is an issue or a copyright asset may be commercialised (Legal services to advise).

Example 3

Activity: Ensuring that the agency owns or is licensed to use copyright material on agency websites accessible to the public, and checking that, as far as practicable, copyright material owned by a third party is clearly labelled, and the agency has permission to use the third party material.

Employees responsible: Communications and General business

Example 4

Activity: Ensuring that any copyright material on a public-facing website that should not be released under a Creative Commons licence is clearly identified and any necessary notices are included.

Employees responsible: Communications and General business

For example, identify:

• the government coat of arms or government logos
• trade mark protected material
• IP (including copyright) owned by third parties
• material available under other licences.

Example 5

Activity: Using material created by a third party.

Employees responsible: Legal, Policy, and General business

Example 6

Activity: Creating copyright material, such as research, presentations or training programs.

Employees responsible: Policy and General business

Example 7

Activity: Answering requests from third parties to use agency material.

Employees responsible: Data custodian and IP officer

Example 8

Activity: Managing grants to develop products or processes involving the creation of IP.

Employees responsible: Legal, Procurement, Management, Funding programs

Last updated:

10 April 2025