Copyright Copyright protects written, theatrical, musical and artistic works as well as film, book layouts, sound recordings, and broadcasts. Copyright is an automatic right, which means you don't have to apply for it. About copyright Here you'll find information on the benefits of copyright protection and what an owner's exclusive economic rights are. Copyright applies to... Copyright applies to all sorts of written and recorded materials from software and the internet to drawings and photography. Ownership of copyright works Ownership of copyright works may depend on the circumstances under which the work was created as this section explains. Other people's copyright works You will normally need permission to use someone else's copyright work but in certain very specific situations you may not. Copyright works are protected across most mediums - so if they're protected in one, they're probably protected in others. Fast Facts Copyright doesn't protect ideas. Take the Copyright quiz!
Other protection Intellectual Property (IP) covers a wide range of subjects and you may find that you can protect your idea by another right. Companies House Companies House deal with the registration and provision of company information. Company Names Tribunal The Tribunal adjudicates in disputes about opportunistic company name registrations. Conditional access technology For encrypted broadcasts and transmissions, you may need authority to produce decoding apparatus and equipment. Copy protection devices Copyright owners may choose to use technical measures to protect their material. Confidentiality agreements (CDAs) CDAs (also known as non-disclosure agreements) can be used to protect know-how or trade secrets Database right In addition to or instead of copyright protection, a database may be protected by the 'database right'. Design right United Kingdom (UK) Design Right and Community Design Right may give automatic protection for the look of your product. Plant breeders rights Publication right Protection abroad
How much does it cost to apply for a UK patent? The normal amount we charge to process a UK patent application is GBP £230 - £280. If you decide to seek professional IP advice (from a Patent Attorney or other representative) you will need to factor in the cost of this as well. If the patent is granted, you must pay a renewal fee to renew it every year after the 5th year for up to 20 years protection. Paper filing GBP £30 (application fee) for a preliminary examinationGBP £150 for a searchGBP £100 for a substantive examination Electronic filing/web-filing service GBP £20 (application fee) for a preliminary examinationGBP £130 for a searchGBP £80 for a substantive examination How to pay If you apply on-line, you can pay by credit or debit card, or by deduction from your deposit account with us. If you apply by post, you can also pay by cheque or bank transfer, but you must also fill in and send us a Form FS2 fee sheet with your application.
Patents - How to apply Apply to us for a patent by post, or if you apply for patents frequently, you may find it useful to apply online. An application for a patent should include a full description of your invention (including any drawings), a set of claims defining your invention, a short abstract summarising the technical features of your invention and a filled in form 1. Fill in form 1 Fill in form 1 in capital letters using black ink, or type them. You must include a full description of your invention, including any drawings, and should include your claims and abstract. You can also send your request for search and fee sheet with your application. If you are not the inventor, there is more than 1 inventor or you are applying on behalf of a company, you must also send a statement of inventorship. Send us the form Please send your filled in application form, description, drawings, claims, abstract and statement of inventorship form, if necessary, to: What happens next?
Trade marks are signs which distinguish your goods/ services from your competitors A trade mark is a sign which can distinguish your goods and services from those of your competitors (you may refer to your trade mark as your "brand"). It can be for example words, logos or a combination of both. The only way to register your trade mark is to apply to us - The Intellectual Property Office. You can use your trade mark as a marketing tool so that customers can recognise your products or services. Trade marks are acceptable if they are: distinctive for the goods and services you provide. You may be familiar with the trade marks below. The above logos have been reproduced with kind permission of WH Smith Retail Limited and PZ Cussons (International) Limited. If you are confident that your trade mark is acceptable, you can apply online now. Trade marks are not registrable if they: Check out our examples of acceptable and unacceptable trade marks. A registered trade mark must be renewed every 10 years to keep it in force. What is a brand?
About designs This site uses cookies to help make it more useful and reliable. Our cookies page explains what they are, which ones we use, and how you can manage or remove them. Hide this Design right Unregistered design right protection.How long does design right protection last? Applying for a design This site uses cookies to help make it more useful and reliable. Our cookies page explains what they are, which ones we use, and how you can manage or remove them. Hide this Before you apply Do you need to register your design? How to apply How to apply.How much does it cost? After you apply The examination process.How we classify designs.How to deal with any objections raised.Changing your application details.