Intellectual Property and Innovation Law Research Program
Where law and technology intersect
We conduct cutting-edge, real-world research at the intersection of law and technology.
We play a critical role in shaping public policy through research, education, community service and public policy engagement.
Our program director is Professor Matthew Rimmer.
Research expertise
International trade and sustainable development
We undertake research in the global governance of intellectual property, innovation, international trade, and sustainable development.
We explore the international legal response to issues such as:
- intellectual property and international trade
- electronic commerce and the digital economy
- access to essential medicines
- plain packaging of tobacco products
- climate change
- the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- food security, access to genetic resources, and biodiversity.
Theme leaders: Professor Matthew Rimmer, Mrs Anne Matthew & Dr Rowena Maguire
Intellectual property
We consider how well intellectual property law works for the people it purports to regulate: creators, inventors, intermediaries, companies, and users.
Our research includes:
- copyright law and creative communities
- trademark law and consumer rights
- new challenges in patent law
- intermediary liability
- Indigenous intellectual property
- trade secrets.
Theme leader: Dr Kylie Pappalardo
Privacy, free speech and human rights
We explore freedom of speech, privacy and human rights in a digital age.
Our work includes research on:
- human rights obligations of platforms
- privacy, surveillance and encryption
- pathways to ethical data.
Theme leaders: Dr Monique Mann, Associate Professor Nicolas Suzor & Associate Professor Mark Burdon
Innovation law and policy
We explore the regulation of emerging and disruptive technologies. Our research cuts across a variety of areas of law including sector-specific regulation, intellectual property law, competition, human rights and criminal law.
Areas of interest include:
- 3D printing regulation
- self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles
- robotics and artificial intelligence
- biometrics and surveillance technologies
- the life sciences
- Bitcoin, blockchain, and financial technologies.
Theme leader: Professor Kieran Tranter (from 2019), Dr Monique Mann & Professor Matthew Rimmer
Access to knowledge and culture
We study models for the production, distribution, and stewardship of information that can help ensure that all people have access to the wealth of human knowledge and the capabilities to participate in culture.
Our research focuses on:
- open access publishing
- open education
- open data
- open innovation.
Theme leader: Associate Professor Nicolas Suzor
PhD
Challenge yourself and make a significant contribution to knowledge in your field. Be inspired to collaborate and innovate.
Our publications
Access our publications on intellectual property law, innovation law, and international trade law.
Our researchers
Our researchers collaborate with other intellectual property and cross-disciplinary experts to achieve cutting-edge research outcomes.
News and events
Twitter trials & Facebook juries: Supreme Court ruling sounds warning
A QUT law researcher says media organisations may need to be much more vigilant in monitoring public comments on their Facebook pages after a Supreme Court judge this week found three outlets liable for publishing allegedly defamatory comments.
National Indigenous Research Conference comes to Brisbane
Researchers, policymakers and Indigenous organisations will gather at QUT in Brisbane in July for the 2019 AIATSIS National Indigenous Research Conference.
Contact us
Find news and events on our social hub. Email or call us about partnerships or study options.