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Patents
Registered right for new, useful, non-obvious invention. Excludes others from practising invention for finite period. State provides exclusive right in exchange for public disclosure of invention. Pre-filing public disclosure can invalidate rights – secrecy critical. Protection is country-specific. |
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Trade Marks
Unregistered and registered right. Mark is a distinctive sign, a badge of origin, prevents confusion in marketplace. Registration significantly improves protection. Finite period but indefinite if renewed and used. Protection is country-specific. Use ™ pre-registration;® once registered. |
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Copyright
Unregistered right. Protects creative works (literary, artistic, musical and dramatic) but includes goods such as software. Exclusive right to control reproduction / adaptation for finite period. Does not cover ideas and information, only expression. Use © to signify rights. |
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Designs
Registered right for new and distinctive features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation applied to a product. Protects visual appearance but not how product works. Pre-filing public disclosure can invalidate rights – secrecy critical. Protection is country-specific. |
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Confidential information
Unregistered right. Non-public information concerning commercial practices or proprietary knowledge. Non-disclosure agreements can protect when disclosing secret information to suppliers, potential investors, employees, or business partners. Important with R&D, patents and designs. No protection for information in public domain. |
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IP Demystified
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