Protecting Design Ideas

Question 1

Explain what a trademark is.

Answer 1

Trademarks are distinctive logos, words or slogans that identify a particular company or product. If someone else uses your trademark you can sue them. they are shown by the ‘R’ or ‘TM’ symbol, examples are Bic Mac, Microsoft.

Question 2

Explain what a patent is

Answer 2

Patents are granted to things that have been invented- they must be different to what has gone before and innovative. It means other people can’t use your idea.

Question 3

What does Copyright do?

Answer 3

any design ideas you produce are automatically protected by copyright. If anyone wants to reproduce your work you have to give them permission. Copyright runs out 70 years after a designers death