This was the introductory talk that was given by IP North West to the management, staff and users of FabLab Manchester on 12 Oct 2011

1. Introduction to
Intellectual Property
Presentation to FabLab Manchester
12 Oct 2011
Jane Lambert
Barrister

2. What is Intellectual
Property?
Intellectual property (“IP”) is the collective
name for the bundle of laws (“intellectual
property rights” or “IPR”) that protect
intellectual assets. Examples include:
• Patents
• Copyrights
• Trade Marks
• Designs

3. What are Intellectual
Assets?
Factors that give one business a
competitive advantage over all others such
as
• brands
• design
• technology
• creative works

4. How does the law protect
brands?
Passing off – nobody may misrepresent his
goods, services or business as those of
another trader;
Trade mark registration – national or
Community trade marks
Geographical indications for food and
drink

5. How does the law protect
design?
Functional design by unregistered design
right;
Ornamental design by design registration
for the UK alone or registered and
unregistered Community design and
copyright

6. How does the law protect
technology?
Law of confidence – prohibition against
disclosing or making use of technical
information imparted in confidence
Patents
Unregistered design right
Semiconductor topographies
Copyright for software
Plant breeders’ rights

7. How does the law protect
creative works?
Copyright for original artistic, dramatic,
literary or musical works, broadcasts,
films, sound recordings or typographical
editions of published works
Rights in performances for actors,
dancers, musicians, singers and other
performers
Moral rights
Publication rights

8. Where do I go to register a
trade mark, design, patent
or plant breeder’s right?
Intellectual Property Office in Newport for
a UK trade mark, registered design or patent
OHIM in Alicante for a Community trade mark
or design
European Patent Office in Munich for a
patent for more than one European country
DEFRA for UK plant variety
Community PVO for EU

9. Who can help me register a
trade mark, registered
design, patent or plant
variety?
Patent or Trade Mark Attorney (aka “patent agents”) such as Tom Hutchinson

10. Who can advise and
represent me in negotiations
or disputes?
Specialist Intellectual Property Solicitor such as Michael Sandys

11. Who can represent me in
court or hearings, draft
complex instruments or
advise me or my
professional advisers on
difficult points of law?
Specialist Intellectual Property Counsel such as Jane Lambert

12. What happens if someone
infringes my Intellectual
Property?
Litigation in Patents Court, Patents County
Court or Chancery Division
Mediation if there is agreement or court
order
Arbitration if there is arbitration agreement
Examiners’ opinions on validity and
infringement of patents
Domain name dispute resolution

13. Where can I get more
information?
PatLib libraries such as British Library,
Leeds Central Library or Manchester and
Liverpool Central Libraries after renovation
Inventors’ Clubs in Manchester, Leeds,
Sheffield, Blackburn and Liverpool
IP Clinics operated by CIPA and NIPC
BL, IPO, WIPO websites

14. Any Questions?
Jane Lambert
NIPC
The Media Centre
7 Northumberland St.
Huddersfield
HD1 1RL
0800 762 0055
www.nipclaw.com