24. Protecting designs and intellectual property

Question 1

What is intellectual property?

Answer 1

• IP is an idea that is turned into a physical creation that did not already exist
• ideas alone do not count as IP

Question 2

Who can IP belong to?

Answer 2

• individuals
• businesses
• can have more than one owner

Question 3

What makes it your IP?

Answer 3

• if you created it and it meets the requirements for copyright/patent/trademark/design right
• if you bought the IP rights from the creator or previous owner

Question 4

What is copyright?

Answer 4

• legal protection for works such as books, photos, drama, music, films, TV, software, etc
• it allows for the management of permission for others to use the work
• it allows creators to take legal action against unauthorised use
• The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Question 5

How long does copyright protection last for literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works?

Answer 5

spans the lifetime of the creator and for 70 years after their death

Question 6

How long does copyright protection last for the layout of published editions of written, dramatic or musical works, broadcasts and sound recordings?

Answer 6

can vary from 25 to 70 years from the date first published or broadcast

Question 7

What are unregistered design rights?

Answer 7

• provide legal protection for designers to stop unauthorised copying for 10 years
• covers the appearance of the work rather than how it functions
• registration is not required but ownership can be difficult to prove in a dispute