2.2f Intellectual Property

Question 1

Intellectual property

Answer 1

• Intellectual property is a form of legal
  protection.
• All products are at risk of being copied,
  from the initial concept to their launch
  into the marketplace.
• Intellectual property covers: brand
  names or product names, inventions,
  the design or look of a product and
  written work and processes.
• You own the intellectual property if:
  » you created it
  » bought it from the previous owner
  » own a brand that has a trademark.
• Intellectual property can be owned
  by more than one person and it could
  belong to a business. It can also be
  sold or transferred.
• If you are employed by someone else,
  you do not own intellectual property
  if it was created as part of your work.
  If you are self-employed and you are
  commissioned to work for someone
  else, your contract will stipulate who
  owns intellectual property

Question 2

Patents

Answer 2

• Patents can be applied for to protect
  new processes or products - things
  that can be made.
• Patents will not be granted if the
  invention has previously been revealed
  in public.
• The patent only applies in the country
  it has been granted in and is reviewed
  annually.
• Patents can be bought, sold or licenced
  out but if you own the patent, noone else can use it without your
  permission.

Question 3

Design rights

Answer 3

This right refers to the physical appearance of a product or part
of it. This applies to industrial as well as handcrafted items.
* Appearance relates to: lines, contours, colours, shapes, texture,
materials.
* A design right is not a complete right as it only covers the 3D
aspect of a design and not, for example, surface decoration or 2D
patterns such as wallpaper.

Question 4

Registered trade marks

Answer 4

A trademark is a sign that is used to identify goods or service as
belonging to a particular company. It can be used as a marketing
tool.
* Trademarks can be words, logos, pictures or a combination of
these.
* Trademarks need to be distinctive to the goods and services they
represent and not the same as previous marks for similar goods.

Question 5

Copyright

Answer 5

• This relates to the expression of an idea not the idea itself. Text
  or illustrations cannot be copied directly from another book of a
  similar topic.
• Copyright can protect a drawing of a product but not the product
  itself.
• Copyright is automatic - as soon as it is written down or recorded

Question 6

BSI - British Standards Institute

Answer 6

The British Standards Institute sets out national standards for
safety and quality of products and services in the UK.
* The standards set out technical information and specifications
with the aim of increasing reliability and the effectiveness of the
goods and services consumers use.

Question 7

ISO - International Organisation for Standardisation

Answer 7

• An independent organisation that develops standards for quality,
  safety, efficiency of products, systems and services.