Corporate Commercial | IP

What Is It?

Anything you invent, write, paint or design as your own creation belongs to you and has value. This is known as "Intellectual Property". Intellectual property rights fall into 4 main areas, which are:

This extends to creative or artistic works, including plans, drawings, designs, music, films, art and broadcast works. Copyright is owned by the author of the work (or his employer);

Design right

This often overlaps with copyright, and essentially protects the fundamental appearance and design of a product. Design right can be registered or unregistered, and is subject to a number of exceptions;

Patents

A patent protects new inventions from being copied. It prevents anyone other than the registered owner from making, using or selling the product without permission. A patent initially lasts for 5 years, but this can be extended up to 20 years; and

Trade Marks

These usually refer to names or other marks used by businesses, such as corporate logos, which belong to those businesses and are often used as a key part of their branding. Trade marks may be registered to ensure better protection against others using them unlawfully, or trying to pass themselves off as having a connection with the mark.

The Problem

If you do not take adequate steps to protect your creation, your competitors could well take the idea for your product and market it themselves, potentially costing you substantial income.

The Solution

At Turbervilles, we have experience in helping to protect all types of intellectual property rights. We will ensure that your invention or idea is protected as fully as possible in order to safeguard you. We work with specialist advisors such as patent agents and barristers to make sure that you retain the ownership and control of your product. Should the worst happen and someone tries to infringe your rights, our Litigation Department is able to take all appropriate action to protect you and prevent unauthorised use.

Contact

Sess Sigre • Partner