PATENT:
An article or process that can be made and used. It must be –
- NEW (i.e. must remain confidential before any application is made), and
- INVENTIVE – Not just a simple modification of something that already exists
They can be expensive, difficult to obtain and they may take 2 – 5 years to be Granted.
They have a maximum life of 20 years from the date of filing and need renewing every year once granted (UK) or after 3 years from filing (Europe). Protection may be extended to other countries and if within 12 months, the foreign application can claim the original filing date.
REGISTERED DESIGN:
You can register the look of your design, including its
- Appearance
- Physical shape
- Configuration (how parts fit together)
- Decoration
They are relatively inexpensive and to obtain and may be granted immediately in some countries. They can last between 7 – 25 years from filing depending on the country. In the UK & Europe they last for 25 years if renewed every 5 years. In the US they only last for 14 years from grant, but there are no renewal fees.
TRADEMARK:
You can register your brand or name of your product or process as a trademark providing it is unique. They may include
- Words
- Logos or images
- Sounds
- Colours
The costs for registering a Trademark are generally more than that required for a Registered Design, but significantly less than for a Patent. The life of a Trademark may be indefinite, provided that renewal fees are paid (approx. every 10 years) and the mark does not fall into common usage.
Mayfin IP Limited 