Let an IP Lawyer Protect Your Creative Work - By: Tim Bishop

So you've had an idea and started to work on it. Now you've heard that you should be protecting it: put it in writing, tracking its life, making those working with it aware of their responsibility towards confidentiality.

Yes, that's absolutely right. Your idea is called Intellectual Property (often referred to as IP) and can be part of a sensitive and complex area of Law and you would be well advised to talk to a specialist IP Lawyer. Before your consultation, have a think about what you will need to discuss in your appointment. What kind of IP field does your creation fall into? What can be done to protect it?

Intellectual property encompasses many different sorts of work which is regarded like physical property, this property comes under UK Intellectual Property Rights. It will normally fit into one of the four major IP catagories.

Copyright

This term applies to recorded or written work such as in music, drama, films and literature. It gives you specific rights as an author and allows you to take legal action if someone is involved in a prohibited action which constitutes infringement (trying to copy it or claiming authorship of the material). This category of Intellectual Property protects your creation worldwide. Your IP Lawyer will inform you more.

Trademarks

Your Intellectual Property can fall into this sphere if your work is, for example, a name, a slogan or a word that defines your product or organisation as unique. You should talk to your IP solicitor and find out the best place to register your creation. If you register in the UK, it will only protect you in the UK, but there is a Community Trade Mark that covers the whole of the EU. As a tip, don't try to use the ® symbol in the meantime before registration; it is illegal to do so.

Design Rights

In many cases design rights are similar to copyright. Designs can also be registered as patents. Your IP Lawyer will help you to clarify this point if you have any design work that needs specific protection from the risk of theft or copying.

Patents

Patents apply mostly to inventions. Registering for a patent makes sure that no one can use your invention or exploit it without your permission. Start the process of patenting with your IP lawyer as soon as possible, because patents are grants made by national governments and they can take around 3 years to be completed.

Whatever type of intellectual property rights need protecting, make sure you consult a specialist IP lawyer - this area of law is particular complex, so you need to ensure that you have get right intellectual property advice.

About the Author

If you need an experienced IP Lawyer, Bonallack & Bishop are specialists. For intellectual property advice contact one of their solicitors today. Senior partner Tim Bishop is responsible for all major strategic decisions at the firm, which he has grown the firm by 1000% in 13 years. He sees himself as a businessman who owns a law firm.

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