UK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) DEFINITIONS

Protects original literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works, as well as films, broadcasts, and software. Copyright arises automatically and prevents others from copying or distributing the work without permission. It typically lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus 70 years.

Protect new inventions, giving the owner exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the invention for up to 20 years. To be patented, an invention must be novel, useful, and capable of industrial application.

Protect brand names, logos, slogans, and other identifiers that distinguish goods or services. Registered trademarks grant exclusive rights, preventing others from using similar marks that could cause confusion. Protection can last indefinitely, provided the trademark is renewed every ten years.

Protect the appearance of a product, including shape, configuration, and decoration. UK unregistered design rights arise automatically and last for up to 15 years, while registered designs can be protected for up to 25 years.

Protect valuable business information, such as formulas, processes, or customer lists. Unlike other IP rights, there is no formal registration; protection relies on confidentiality agreements and legal enforcement.