The Australian government wishes to ensure that the intellectual property (IP) system provides appropriate incentives for innovation, investment and the production of creative works while ensuring it does not unreasonably impede further innovation, competition, investment and access to goods and services. The government is committed to evidence-based policy making and believes that these guiding principles will provide a useful framework for the on-going assessment of the IP system and for future development of IP policy. These principles encompass key economic factors while recognising the importance of balancing the interests of innovators, investors and creators with the health, economic and social welfare of consumers and Australian society as a whole.

This report has been released in response to the Productivity Commission's 2016 inquiry into Australia's IP arrangements.