Patents

Question 1

What is a patent?

Answer 1

If an inventor or designer can prove that an invention is theirs, they can be granted a patent. This gives the designer the intellectual property rights of ownership of the design and legal action can be taken against anyone trying to use their invention without their permission.

Question 2

Give examples of products that have been patented.

Answer 2

Dyson’s 1980 bagless vacuum cleaner vs Hoover

Ford’s Heated Front Window screen vs Mini

Question 3

Name another type of protection that can be used for an idea.

Answer 3

Trade Marks

Question 4

What can be trade marked?

Answer 4

Logos, brands, slogans and other branding material are protected under trade marks.

Question 5

What can be trade marked?

Answer 5

Logos, brands, slogans and other branding material are protected under trade marks.

Question 6

What do patents allow people to do?

Answer 6

1. Protect exclusivity of sale of products in a market determined by the patent itself.
2. The patent runs for a number of years determined by the fee paid.
3. The patent allows a company to build up a market share and establish a ‘name’ before other companies can release similar products into the market.