Why we want blogs
While IP Australia plays a central role in administering and regulating Australia’s intellectual property system including patents, trademarks, designs, and plant breeder’s rights we recognise that it is not the only voice businesses need to hear from. Navigating IP effectively often requires insights from legal experts, industry bodies, and commercial advisors to ensure their businesses make informed, strategic decisions.
As a means to provide complete, accurate and varied information about all aspects of the IP system, we have created a blog on IP First Response which can provide a forum for this valuable information. Additionally, we know that additional and varied content relating to IP will help make IP First Response easier to find for people seeking help and information.
The blog posts are explicit in not representing the views of IP Australia, and we clearly signal the authorship of all contributors to provide transparency and gravitas to the content.
We invite contributors from across the Australian IP ecosystem to submit blog posts, following the guidance below. IP Australia reserves the right not to publish submitted content, but our default position is to accept high-quality, useful content unless it poses a risk to businesses, is inappropriate for our audience, or does not align with IP Australia’s purpose or values.
Choosing a topic
We recommend that you select a topic related to IP protection, enforcement or infringement, which address questions many users will have. We have a list of topics available on request which might provide some ideas. If you are unsure, check with us and we can confirm that the topic has not been covered, and would be useful to the audience of IP First Response.
Details
Write for brevity Aim for clarity and conciseness. Posts can be as short as 200 words, but ideally no longer than 1,200 words to suit a blog-style format.
Write for non-experts Our audience includes small business owners (from sole traders to businesses with under $2 million in turnover), entrepreneurs, and creators. For many, this may be their first time thinking about intellectual property - so keep it simple and accessible. The readers will generally be seeking answers to their situation, but do not need to become experts in IP.
Make it practical Provide actionable steps, options, and trade-offs. Highlight good business practices, conflict resolution strategies, and reasonable checks readers can do themselves. Help readers understand the different options available, how to choose between them, and what considerations to keep in mind. Point to useful resources where relevant – particularly on IP First Response.
Make it easy to read Readers are likely skimming during a lunch break or after hours – the few moments they have free to work ‘on’ their business rather than ‘in’ their business. Help them absorb key messages quickly:
- Lead with the main points.
- Use subheadings and bullet points.
- Include images where helpful – IPAVentures team can assist with sourcing visuals.
- Avoid jargon and use plain language wherever possible. If technical terms are necessary, explain them clearly. The IPA Ventures team can help identify terms that may need clarification.
Be engaging and authentic This is not an academic paper. Use conversational, digestible formats. Share your own experiences and insights. Clearly inserting yourself in the content helps readers connect with your perspective and understand that this is one view - not a definitive answer. For example, “We often find...”, “Many of our clients...”, “Our business specialises in X, and...”, “After 30 years in the industry, I have seen...”
Avoid promotional content
The blog is an educational space, not an advertising platform. Posts should focus on sharing knowledge, insights, and practical advice — not promoting specific products, services, or businesses. It’s fine to reference your experience or organisation where relevant, but avoid calls to action, marketing language, or links that direct readers to commercial offerings. IP Australia may edit or decline posts that are primarily promotional.
Submission process
- Propose a Topic Let us know what you’d like to write about. You can request our list of possible topics to choose from or propose your own (via IPFirstResponse@IPAustralia.gov.au)
- Submit Your Draft Email your draft to IPFirstResponse@IPAustralia.gov.au
- Review and Feedback The IPAVentures team will review your post for clarity, accessibility, and formatting. We’ll make minor edits as needed. You’ll receive a final draft for approval or additional edits (we won’t provide a tracked-changes version). This process typically takes around 2 business days.
- Publishing Once approved, we’ll select a suitable cover image and publish your post—usually within 2 days.
- Share Your Work Once published, we encourage you to share your blog with your networks to help it reach more people.
Checklist
✅ Is the content relevant to IP challenges faced by everyday Australians?
✅ Is the language conversational and digestible format?
✅ Does the post offer practical insights or actionable steps for small business owners?
✅ Are sources and external views clearly attributed?
✅ Is the tone supportive, informative, and respectful?