Fast Facts
- Ideas and concepts for inventions are not patentable
- Trade marks have to be distinctive and original
- Design Right is free protection and relates to the apperance of a product.
- Copyright is automatic so there's no fees to pay or forms to fill in
See Also
Intellectual Property (IP) is about far more than just Patents. There are four main types of IP rights which you can use to protect your inventions or creations. You may also choose to protect your IP in other ways, for example, by using a confidentiality agreement.
Patents
Patents protect what makes things work - like what makes a wheel turn or the chemical formula of your favourite fizzy drink.
Trade marks
Trade marks are symbols that distinguish goods and services in the marketplace - like logos and brand names.