Protecting Business Ideas

Copyrights, Patents & Trademarks

Used for original pieces of:◦ Literacy◦ Drama◦ Music◦ Art

No requirement to register

Last’s 70 years or death (50 for sound recordings or TV broadcasts)

Copyright - ©

If a new product, process, piece of equipment or component is created the idea can be protected using a patent

Must register with full drawings to UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO)

Can last for 20 years

Patents

Can develop idea further in a protected way and then benefit from revenues and profits

Useful bargaining tool, can sell/lease the rights

Helps obtain finance

Benefits of Patents

Both Patents and Copyrights are protected by law and the government in the:◦ Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Government Protection

Very powerful marketing tools, in helping a business recognise products/brands

Trademarks stop people copying symbols or styles of wording

Must be registered with UK-IPO

No time limit

Trademarks - ™

In groups you are to research one of the following cases and present back to the class:

You must include:◦ What law was involved in the case◦ A description about the case◦ Who won◦ Why they won

Presentations

Penguin vs ASDA - Puffin Bars Virgin vs Contour - Seats Dyson vs Hoover Dan Brown vs Michael Baigent and Richard

Leigh Mars vs Nestlé – ‘Have a Break’ Jamelia

Cases