IP RIGHTS
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. These are the different rights available.
(IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce and trade. It refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
IP is protected in law by, for example, patents , copyright and trademarks , which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.
COPYRIGHT
- Copyright (or author’s right) is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works.
- Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings etc…
PATENT
- A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem.
- To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application.
- Emphasis: a patent can only be granted for an invention which is a process that has an inventive step (unique and new innovation) and offers a technical solution to an existing problem
TRADEMARK
A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks are protected by intellectual property rights. Trademarks are diverse, from marks/signs to smells.
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION
- A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
- In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
- The qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.
- Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
- In a legal sense, an industrial design constitutes the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article.
- An industrial design may consist of three dimensional features, such as the shape of an article, or two dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or colour.