What is IP infringement?

If you use someone else's intellectual property (IP) without their permission you may be infringing their IP rights and they may be able take legal action against you. There are also a number of exceptions in copyright law which allow limited use of copyright works without the permission of the copyright owner.

Patent infringement

If you make, use, sell or import something protected by a patent, without permission, you may be infringing the owner's rights.

Design infringement

If you use, sell or import something that is identical or similar to a design registration, without permission, you may be infringing the owner's rights.

Copyright infringement

If you use works, which are protected by copyright without permission, you may be infringing the owner's rights.

Trade mark infringement

If you use a mark, which is identical or similar to a registered trade mark, without permission, you may be infringing the owner's rights.