1.10 Protecting Design and Intellectual Property

Question 1

What is intellectual property?

Answer 1

Creations of the mind, it is a novel idea that is turned into a physical creation that did not exist before, such as a book, a film or a car design

Question 2

What is intellectual property rights?

Answer 2

The legal protection of intellectual property

Question 3

What does copyright do?

Answer 3

Legally protects the use of a designers artwork, illustrations or photographs once it has been physically expressed

Question 4

How does someone copyright their work?

Answer 4

The designer adds the c symbol, their name and the date to the work

Question 5

What does the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act provide?

Answer 5

Cover for most works for 70 years after the death of the creator

Question 6

What are textile designs automatically protected by?

Answer 6

The design right for 15 years after creation and 10 years after it is first sold

Question 7

How is the design right used?

Answer 7

• Not necessary to register, ownership is hard to prove if designs are unregistered
• To register, copies of early drafts, designs and design modifications are signed and dated and verified

Question 8

What do registered designs offer?

Answer 8

Legal protection for a product’s shape, appearance and decoration, designs can be registered for up to 25 years by submitting illustrations and a fee to the intellectual property office

Question 9

What does a patent prevent?

Answer 9

Others from manufacturing, using, selling or importing the new invention without the inventors permission

Question 10

How do you apply a patent?

Answer 10

Inventors have to submit detailed labelled diagrams and clear descriptions to the IPO

Question 11

What are patents used for?

Answer 11

• Provide up to 20 years legal protection but are expensive
• New creation needs to be useful
• Patents not meant for aesthetic, creative or artistic work
• Patents apply only to the working parts of a design

Question 12

What is a trademark?

Answer 12

A recognisable and unique combination of words, sounds, colours and logos used to identify and promote a brand, product or organisation

Question 13

What is a logo?

Answer 13

A graphical symbol designed to be instantly identifiable and unique in order to stand out

Question 14

How are trademarks and logos used in the industry?

Answer 14

• Trademarks applied for and renewed every ten years
• IPO collects the fees and registers trademarks