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What is intellectual property? |
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Intellectual property (IP) can allow you to own things you create in a similar way to owning physical property. You can control the use of your IP, and use it to gain reward. This encourages further innovation and creativity. |
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The four main types of IP are |
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Copyright Copyright protects creative or artistic works. You should only copy or use a copyrighted work with the copyright owner's permission. |
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Copyright protects: literature, including novels, instruction manuals, computer programs, song lyrics, newspaper articles, website content and some types of database drama, including dance or mime music art, including paintings, engravings, photographs, sculptures, collages, architecture, technical drawings, diagrams, maps and logos layouts used to publish a work, for a book recordings of a work, including sound and film broadcasts of a work |
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Copyright applies to any medium. This means that you must not reproduce copyright protected work in another medium without permission. This includes, publishing photographs on the internet, making a sound recording of a book, and so on. Copyright does not protect ideas for a work. However, when an idea is fixed, for example in writing, copyright automatically protects it. This means that you do not have to apply for copyright. A copyright protected work can have more than one copyright, or another intellectual property right, connected to it. For example, an album of music can have separate copyrights for individual songs, sound recordings, artwork, and so on, whilst, copyright protects the artwork of your logo, but you could also register the logo as a trade mark. |
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Designs |
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Registered designs Registered designs give you the right to stop anyone copying or using your design in the United Kingdom for up to 25 years. |
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Design right Design right is a free, automatic right that you get when you create an original design. It gives you the right to stop anyone copying your design for up to 15 years. |
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Copyright If your design is artistic and you do not intend to mass produce it, you will receive automatic copyright protection against illegal copying. Copyright also protects any drawings or plans of your design. |
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patent |
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A patent protects new inventions and covers how things work, what they do, how they do it, what they are made of and how they are made. It gives the owner the right to prevent others from making, using, importing or selling the invention without permission |
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Your invention must: be new have an inventive step that is not obvious to someone with knowledge and experience in the subject be capable of being made or used in some kind of industry not be: a scientific or mathematical discovery, theory or method a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work a way of performing a mental act, playing a game or doing business the presentation of information, or some computer programs an animal or plant variety a method of medical treatment or diagnosis against public policy or morality. If your invention meets these requirements, you may want to consider applying for a patent. If you have a granted patent, you must renew it every year after the 5th year for up to 20 years protection |
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trade mark |
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A trade mark protects any sign or symbol that allows your customers to tell you apart from your competitors. You can register a name, logo, slogan, domain name, shape, colour or sound. |
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To be registered, a trade mark must be: distinctive for the goods and services you apply for not similar or identical to any earlier marks for the same or similar goods and services not deceptive, or contrary to law or morality. If your trade mark meets these requirements, you may want to consider applying for a registered trade mark. Your trade mark does not have to be registered but an unregistered mark will rely on the common law of passing off. If you have a registered trade mark, you must renew it every 10 years to keep it in force. |
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