Other types of intellectual property rights
Confidential information or know-how
This is information that is unpublished/has not entered the public domain and has only been disclosed under a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement. Although know-how cannot be patented, it can still be commercially valuable and may be suitable for licensing.
Design Rights
Like copyright, design rights are an unregistered, automatic, free right.
Trade Marks
Trade marks protect brand identity, distinguishing the source of goods and services. Application for a trade mark is made to the Trade Marks Registry (part of the UK Patent Office) and, as with patents, they must undergo examination prior to registration. Once registered, annual renewal fees are payable.
Registered Design
A registered design protects the appearance of industrial products, whether whole or in part, ie its lines, contours, shape, colour, texture or the material itself. A registered design can last up to 25 years.
Other special types of ip rights
- Performers Rights
- Trade Secrets
- Database Rights
- Semi-conductor Typographies
- Plant Breeders' Rights
- Geographical Indications of Origin
- Conditional Access Technology
- Unfair Competition under ‘Passing off' law
- Publication Right
- Copy Protection Devices
Further information on all the above types of IP rights can be found on the UK Government's Intellectual Property website.