Intellectual Property

What is design? What is design registered intended for?

A design refers to the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation which give a product a unique appearance, and must be new and distinctive. Design registration is intended to protect designs which have an industrial or commercial use.

What is a patent? What rights does it give the owner?

A patent is a right that is granted for any device, substance, method or process that is new, inventive, and useful. A patent gives the right holder full and exclusive access to commercially exploit the new invention for the life of the patent.

What is a trademark? What rights does it give the owner?

A trade mark is a right that is granted for a letter, number, word, phrase, sound, smell, shape, logo, picture and/or aspect of packaging. A registered trademark is legally enforceable and gives the right holders exclusive access to commercially use, license or sell it for the goods and services that it is registered under.

What are the components of intellectual property?

IP consists of copyright, trademarks, patents and designs.

What is the definition of Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property (IP) is the property of your mind or proprietary knowledge. It can be an invention, a trade mark, a design or the practical application of your idea.

What is the purpose of intellectual property?

Protecting and managing intellectual property is essential when establishing presence in a market. Correct application of IP could mean the difference between success and failure. Some rights, such as copyright, are applied to works automatically and are looked after under the attorney general.

How does copyright protect software? (5)

Protections • Gives developers protections against unauthorised copying and distribution of copyrighted software Protection against software piracy • Software is protected by copyright as a 'literary work', the same way books and poems are protected • No general right to copy software for general use • Developers can issue software under the licenses of proprietary, freeware or shareware • What users can and cannot do is listed in a software's terms and conditions and EULA