IP and Confidentiality Checklist
Copyright
n
n
Protects items such as writing, music, and software
Protects the expression of an idea, not the
idea itself
n Protects original work
n Arises automatically without registration
n Duration mainly life of creator +70 years
Patents
n Protects
n Needs
TYPES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
inventions
registering
n Must be new, inventive and capable of
industrial application
n Don't disclose pre-application
n Duration 20 years
n Designs must be original and not commonplace
UK Unregistered
n Not protected if surface decoration, dictated
Design Right
by the way it's made, made to fit/match
another object
n Arises automatically without registration
n Duration 10 years from first marketing/15 years
from date of design document
UK/Community
Registered Designs
Design has individual character
protected if dictated by function
n Don't disclose more than 12 months
pre-application
n Duration 25 years
n
n Not
Community Unregistered
Design Right
n
Database Rights
n
Criteria same as for registered design
automatically without registration
n Duration 3 years
n Arises
Protects collection of independent works, data
or other materials arranged systematically or
methodically arranged
n Arises automatically without registration
n Duration 15 years
Trade Marks
n Denote
n Not
origin and quality of goods
descriptive/must be distinctive
n Not identical or similar to an existing mark for
similar or identical goods
n Duration 10 years (renewable)
