Intellectual Property

Question 1

What is a patent?

Answer 1

Exclusive right to use and exploit and invention for 20 years
Costly & time consuming to get
Gives a competitive edge but announces said invention to the world
Process: Filing, Search, Search, Publication, Examination, Grant

Question 2

What is copyright?

Answer 2

Protects a work from being copied, rented, performed or adapted without permission.
Parody etc is allowed.
Right to be identified as the director/author.
Length of time varies depending on medium (film/music/literary: 70 years after death of final person; typographical arrangements: 25 years after publication; broadcasts: 50 years from end of calendar year the work was published)

Question 3

What is a trade/service mark?

Answer 3

The exclusive use of a symbol/s word/s shape/s regarding a specific business area. Must be distinctive and non-descriptive.

Question 4

Types of IP?

Answer 4

Patents - exclusive right to a scientific invention
Copyright - Prevents the copying of works
Registered Trade Mark - Prevents the use of a name/symbol in connection with a sector
Goodwill and Reputation - perception of value/quality of a business/product
Confidential Information - Protected against unauthorised disclosure