What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
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.
Types of intellectual property
Ideas or notions in the form of products, services, or processes
- Copyright
- Copyright protects material, such as literature, art, music, sound recordings, films and broadcasts.
- Designs
- Designs protect the visual appearance or eye appeal of products.
- Patents
- Patents protect the technical and functional aspects of products and processes.
- Trade Marks
- Trade Marks protect signs that can distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another.
However, Intellectual Property rights also extend to cover trade secrets, plant varieties, geographical indications, performer's rights and so on. Often, more than one type of IP may apply to the same creation.
Protecting an idea/material
- Different IP rights give protection in different ways.
- Registered Rights are Patents, Registered Designs and Trade Marks.
- Unregistered IP rights are Copyright, Design Right and Performers Rights.
- Where protection has to be applied for, advisable to do it at an early stage.
- Patent or registered design protection will NOT be granted if information is already in the public domain.
It is important to get advice early!
Establish the ownership of Intellectual Property
- Starting point is with the inventor/originator.
- If employed or work for hire, the company could own the IP.
For futher information on types of Intellectual Property, protection and latest news, see the UKIPO website