Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual Property Rights ("IPR") allow people to own or control certain types of creative or innovative work. Most developed countries recognise the main categories of IPR and there are various international agreements and protocols which promote co-operation between countries in relation to IPR.
Some IPRs need to be registered before protection arises. In other cases the protection is automatic. The exact rules differ from country to country.
The position set out on these pages generally describes the position in the United Kingdom.
Types of Intellectual Property
The five main types of intellectual property recognised internationally are:
- Registered Trade Marks
- Patents
- Copyright
- Registered Designs
- Unregistered Designs
Related Rights
Other IPR and related rights recognised in the United Kingdom are:
- Goodwill (protected by "Passing Off" actions)
- Database Right
- Confidential Information
There are also certain more obscure rights for example those relating to the design of semiconductors, to performances or to plant breeding.
