Intellectual Property and the Rural Sector: Harvesting the benefits of science and technology. Recent developments in agribusiness and biotechnology promise benefits for the rural sector. However, there has been little research into the Intellectual Property needs and expectations of the sector, a crucial aspect of the innovation process. This hampers policy debate, the development of effective commercialisation strategies, and undermines the effectiveness of Intellectual Property education. T ....Intellectual Property and the Rural Sector: Harvesting the benefits of science and technology. Recent developments in agribusiness and biotechnology promise benefits for the rural sector. However, there has been little research into the Intellectual Property needs and expectations of the sector, a crucial aspect of the innovation process. This hampers policy debate, the development of effective commercialisation strategies, and undermines the effectiveness of Intellectual Property education. This project, the first of its kind, addresses these problems by ascertaining the Intellectual Property needs of rural Australia, through empirical research into policy, education and commercialisation, and provides an understanding essential to support the economic and social development of rural communities.Read moreRead less
Legal Protection of TV Program Formats. Global flows of production ideas and techniques affect culture industries, most especially TV. Little is known about the pivotal role of adaptation of program formats and, especially, how to control piracy of this form of intellectual property. How effective, for example, might copyright law be in guarding against plagiarism and how might such a measure be strengthened? This project investigates the legal and industrial dimensions of TV program formats t ....Legal Protection of TV Program Formats. Global flows of production ideas and techniques affect culture industries, most especially TV. Little is known about the pivotal role of adaptation of program formats and, especially, how to control piracy of this form of intellectual property. How effective, for example, might copyright law be in guarding against plagiarism and how might such a measure be strengthened? This project investigates the legal and industrial dimensions of TV program formats through an analysis of current laws and practices in Australia and elsewhere. It enhances conceptual knowledge and professional performance in the commercial protection of an area that incorporates significant financial investment.Read moreRead less
Protection of Botanical Innovation: A legal analysis of the scope and operation of national and international plant breeder's rights. Plants play a crucial role in Australian society: they are a major source of nutrition, shelter, clothing, fuel, medicines and aesthetic pleasure. They also make an important contribution to the Australian economy. The legislative regime established under the 1994 Plant Breeder's Rights Act was designed to promote research, investment and innovation in Australian ....Protection of Botanical Innovation: A legal analysis of the scope and operation of national and international plant breeder's rights. Plants play a crucial role in Australian society: they are a major source of nutrition, shelter, clothing, fuel, medicines and aesthetic pleasure. They also make an important contribution to the Australian economy. The legislative regime established under the 1994 Plant Breeder's Rights Act was designed to promote research, investment and innovation in Australian plant breeding. A lack of familiarity and widespread misunderstanding mean that the system is under-utilised with adverse consequences for plant innovation and Australia's economy. This groundbreaking research will provide a comprehensive analysis of plant breeder's rights in Australia to maximise understanding and awareness amongst key stakeholders.Read moreRead less
Impact of Native Title on Local Government in Australia. This project will consider in detail the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (IPA) and how the implementation IPA Planning Schemes will impact upon native title rights to land and sea. The project will also look at the impact of IPA on development applications made by native titleholders themselves. It will provide for identification and analysis of the relevant legal arrangements affecting native title, and the creation for taxonomy of imp ....Impact of Native Title on Local Government in Australia. This project will consider in detail the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (IPA) and how the implementation IPA Planning Schemes will impact upon native title rights to land and sea. The project will also look at the impact of IPA on development applications made by native titleholders themselves. It will provide for identification and analysis of the relevant legal arrangements affecting native title, and the creation for taxonomy of impacts arising out of the interaction of the two legal regimes. The project will indicate strategies to facilitate cooperation between local planning authorities and indigenous stakeholders within existing legal structures.Read moreRead less
Legal and social dynamics of eBook lending in Australia’s public libraries. Legal and social dynamics of eBook lending in Australia’s public libraries. This project aims to develop an evidence base of quantitative and qualitative data about how eBooks are used in libraries. EBooks have tremendous beneficial potential, particularly for Australians in remote areas and those with impaired mobility or vision. However, libraries’ rights to acquire and lend them are more restricted than for physical b ....Legal and social dynamics of eBook lending in Australia’s public libraries. Legal and social dynamics of eBook lending in Australia’s public libraries. This project aims to develop an evidence base of quantitative and qualitative data about how eBooks are used in libraries. EBooks have tremendous beneficial potential, particularly for Australians in remote areas and those with impaired mobility or vision. However, libraries’ rights to acquire and lend them are more restricted than for physical books. Libraries and legal, social and data science researchers will investigate eBook lending practices and understand their social impacts. The project will identify ways of reforming policy, law, and practice to help libraries fulfil their public interest missions. This project is expected to enable libraries to extract more value from existing public investments.Read moreRead less
Testing trade mark law's image of the consumer. An effective trade mark law is vital both to protect consumers and to allow businesses to build brand recognition. This project seeks to put Australian trade mark law on a firmer empirical footing by bringing together experts from psychology, law and marketing to test the law’s assumptions against actual consumer responses.
Survival of the fittest: The performance of franchised versus independent small business during economic uncertainty and recovery. The contribution of small business to the Australian economy is substantial. There are almost two million small businesses, representing 96% of all businesses in Australia. As the small business sector is Australia's largest employer, providing jobs for 46 percent of the private sector, it is important that they succeed. This research will analyse survival factors d ....Survival of the fittest: The performance of franchised versus independent small business during economic uncertainty and recovery. The contribution of small business to the Australian economy is substantial. There are almost two million small businesses, representing 96% of all businesses in Australia. As the small business sector is Australia's largest employer, providing jobs for 46 percent of the private sector, it is important that they succeed. This research will analyse survival factors during economic uncertainty in order to identify sustainable and enduring success strategies. The study will compare the performance of independently owned and franchised small businesses in both regional and urban communities. Benefits will include improved knowledge about the key factors that drive superior independent and franchised small business performance.Read moreRead less
The Value of Growth and Risk in the Australian Stock Market. The pricing of stock returns remains a ?holy grail? in financial economics. This project will take us closer to this prize by investigating new models for the pricing of risk in stock prices, focusing upon key questions specific to Australia including the role of liquidity, influence of goodwill and power of dividends. Tests will be conducted in the context of a new paradigm model. Outcomes are improved data management, improved risk c ....The Value of Growth and Risk in the Australian Stock Market. The pricing of stock returns remains a ?holy grail? in financial economics. This project will take us closer to this prize by investigating new models for the pricing of risk in stock prices, focusing upon key questions specific to Australia including the role of liquidity, influence of goodwill and power of dividends. Tests will be conducted in the context of a new paradigm model. Outcomes are improved data management, improved risk control, improved tools and knowledge for investment decision-making for industry. The industry partner, DFA Australia, is a commercial fund manager highly committed through its strong links to US academe.Read moreRead less
Modeling the relations between the incidence of within-firm corporate fraud and the quality of corporate governance structures. Organisations operating in market economies have agency problems because the managers of the firm are rarely the owners. One costly outcome is the incidence of fraud within organisations. In recent times organisations have developed and refined corporate governance structures. To date there has been little analysis of the effect that corporate governance has on the inci ....Modeling the relations between the incidence of within-firm corporate fraud and the quality of corporate governance structures. Organisations operating in market economies have agency problems because the managers of the firm are rarely the owners. One costly outcome is the incidence of fraud within organisations. In recent times organisations have developed and refined corporate governance structures. To date there has been little analysis of the effect that corporate governance has on the incidence of with-in firm fraud. The aim of this research is to build and test a model of the relations between within-firm fraud and corporate governance systems that can be used as a diagnostic tool by industry to monitor and manage risk.Read moreRead less
Towards Resolution of Franchising Conflict. Franchising is a major sector in the Australian economy with annual turnover greater than $128 billion. Some 35% of franchisors report being involved in substantial disputes with franchisees. This project will investigate the causes of conflict in franchising relationships. Benefits will include a predictive model to identify where conflict is likely to occur in franchising conditions, thereby allowing participants the opportunity to address conflic ....Towards Resolution of Franchising Conflict. Franchising is a major sector in the Australian economy with annual turnover greater than $128 billion. Some 35% of franchisors report being involved in substantial disputes with franchisees. This project will investigate the causes of conflict in franchising relationships. Benefits will include a predictive model to identify where conflict is likely to occur in franchising conditions, thereby allowing participants the opportunity to address conflict before it escalates into dispute. Case studies and recommendations will inform participants and regulatory authorities so as to prevent conflict escalating. This will create a more 'level playing field' for participants and improve financial security for all stakeholders.Read moreRead less