Protect · 6 min read
Patent, trademark, copyright or design: what protects what?
A plain-language map of the main IP rights.
Pending professional review. Starter text. This page requires final review by Govind Preet Singh (and any other appropriate professional) before production launch.
Trademark
Protects names, logos and other signs that identify who a product comes from.
Copyright
Protects original expression such as software code, writing, images and music, but not the underlying idea.
Patent
Can protect certain new inventions that meet legal tests. Not every software idea qualifies, and the process is specialist work.
Design
Protects the visual appearance of a product, such as shape or pattern.
Trade secrets
Valuable confidential information can be protected by keeping it confidential and having agreements that say so.
General information only. Not legal, tax or investment advice. No professional or client relationship is created by reading this article.