11.3 Protecting The Intellectual Property Rights Of Designers

Question 1

What is an IP?

Answer 1

A physical creation of an idea that did not already exist (a book, film, camera etc)
And can be protected by IPR (intellectual Property rights)

Question 2

What are the 5 main IPRs?

Answer 2

Patents
Copyrights
Design rights
Registered designs
Trademarks

Question 3

What are the main points about Patents?

Answer 3

Protects from other companies making, using or selling the creation without consent.

Only apply to working parts of a product (a car suspension system)

Lasts 20 years

Is expensive (holder needs to pay maintenance fees)

Is complicated to obtain—-> has to be a new invention which significantly improves an existing design.
A patent attorney can be employed to check a patent prior to submission

Legal conflicts may appear apple vs Samsung for software features

Question 4

How can Patents encourage innovation?

Answer 4

Patents are made public allowing others to see how the product works which allows:

1. Knowledge Sharing: By making the details of an invention public, others can understand how it works, which can inspire new ideas and improvements.
2. Avoiding Redundancy: Inventors can avoid duplicating efforts by building on existing patented technologies rather than reinventing the wheel.
3. Collaboration: Public patents can lead to collaborations of companies or researchers combining expertise to create even better solutions.

Question 5

What is the design and patents act of 1988 provide?

Answer 5

Provides cover for most work for 70 years after the death of the creator

Question 6

What does copyright protect?

Answer 6

Copyright protects “works of ownership”
Which means that it may need permission to use in work (e.g licensing photos for use in books)