intellectual property tips

IP Tips

Mark Barber

Regional Innovation Team Business Link

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip # 1

Don’t tell anyone about your idea!

Tip:

Tell them using a Confidentiality / Non-disclosure Agreement

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #2

Are the rights owned already?

Tip:

Do initial check on Intellectual Property Office websitewww.ipo.gov.uk/

esp@cenet

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #3

What’s the most appropriate Intellectual Property Right (IPR) for your Company?

Tip:

a) How the IP will be exploited

b) How does it fit with company strategy

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #4

Is it Patentable?

Check your invention:

a) Is new / novel

b) Has inventive step

c) Is capable of being used in any kind of industry

d) Is not excluded

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #5

Where do you want Patent protection?

Select the Country/Countries & check the cost of:

a) Application / legal fees

b) Maintenance fees

c) Translation fees

d) IP insurance

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #6

Patent Pending – when to apply.

Two views

a) File immediately – starts application time clock!

b) File when you know what you want to Patent

– can use Patent Pending to your advantage,

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #7

Thinking of a USA Patent?

Tip: Remember….USA has different system

First to Invent NOT first to file (as elsewhere).

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #8

Do you have a new Design?

Tips: Consider your options -

a) Un-registered Community Design (UCD) March 06

b) Registered Community Design (RCD)

c) RCD more cost effective if you want to register in several EU member state country’s.

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #9

Trade Mark

Tips:

a) Check existing status of Trade Mark and class

b) To consider National or Community Trade Mark

c) The difference between TM and ®

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Tip #10

Copyright ©

Copyright is an automatic right in the UK.

Tips:

a) Good practice to date & time work

b) Consider assignment of copyright to you from suppliers e.g. websites, software programmers.

0845 600 9 006 www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk

Assistance with IPR’s

Know your rights?

Tips:

a) Contact a BL Innovation Advisor

b) Broker you to Professionals in the respective IP area