Your questions answered

Do I have to have a prototype or working model to file for my patent?

A patent is granted on the basis of a legal document called the ‘specification’. This consists of 4 documents:

• The description - A written description explaining the essential features, containing enough information for others to perform or carry out the invention.
• Drawings - showing the technical features and construction of your invention to help understand the description.
• Claims - A list all of the main technical features of your invention including those that distinguish it from what already exists.
• Abstract - a short summary, of up to 150 words, of your invention

There is no requirement to have a working model or prototype.

Most successful patent applications have detailed descriptions in the specification that are several pages long, describe different versions of the invention and refer to a set of drawings showing these other versions. The exact style and content varies according to the subject matter. For instance, complicated machinery, electronic equipment and chemical processes need many more pages of description and drawings than a straightforward item with few parts.

I have recently written, composed and recorded an album. I would like to put my music everywhere (internet, different countries and magazines) but I am concerned about Copyright of my work. How do I protect my work completely from anyone trying to steal it?

Copyright protection is automatic. These rights start as soon as the material is recorded in writing or any other way. There is no official register, no forms to fill in and no fees to pay. The following link provides some useful information regarding "What is protected by copyright".

You need to ensure you record your work in some way. The options for this are:

Post the work to yourself, by special delivery post (which gives a clear date stamp on the envelope), leaving the envelope unopened on its return.

A number of private companies operate unofficial registers, but it would be sensible to check carefully what you will be paying for before choosing this route.

Or, you could deposit a copy with a bank or solicitor.

Copyright owners generally have the right to authorise or prohibit use in a number of ways, such as making copies and issuing copies to the public. A copyright protected work can have more than one copyright, or another intellectual property right, connected to it. For example, an album of music can have separate copyrights for individual songs, sound recordings, artwork, and so on, whilst, copyright protects the artwork of your logo, but you could also register the logo as a trade mark.