1. Intellectual Property Rights
[IPR]
What can you protect?
And does the protection have
any strategic value?

2. Intellectual property rights is generally
regualted by national laws.
This presentation is based on Danish
regulations.
Though most general principles will
probably apply in other EU countries,
always check the regulations on the
markets you want to operate in.

3. Types of intellectual property
• Patent
• Utility model
• Trademark
• Industrial design rights
• Copyright

4. Patent

5. Patent
• Technical invention - with a new
functionality.
• New – not seen before.
• Innovative jump – not the logical solution.
• Industrial appliance.
• 20 years protection.
General principles in Europe for 100 years. USA is more liberal –
doesn’t require technical invention. Software or methods can be
patented.

6. Utility Model

7. Utility model
• New practical inventions with less
stringent requirements for innovation
leap.
• Protection of technical functions.
• Shorter protection – typically around
10 years protection.

8. Trademarks

9. Trademark
• Figures, words, slogans, special
characters, sounds, product shapes or
packaging etc.
• Must be clearly distinctive.
• 10 years protection – can be renewed.
• European trademarks:
Oami.europa.eu – tmview.europa.eu

10. Trademark violation

11. Industrial Design Rights

12. Industrial Design Rights
• Protecting the visual design of
objects that are not purely utilitarian.
• 25 years – renewal every 5 year.

13. Examples - design
• Telephones, textiles, packaging, toys,
tools, machines, jewellery, household
equipment and food like pasta and
snacks.

14. Copyright

15. Copyright
• Original and creative work.
• Protected when created – without
registration.
• 70 years.

16. Examples - copyright
• Books, • Articles
• Art • Theatrical
• Photography performances
• Furniture • Art on buildings
• Movies • Cartoons
• Music • Etc.
• Software

17. Confidentiality
• Public knowledge about your idea
can violate you chances of getting a
patent.
• A Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
or Confidentiality Agreement can
help you keept it secret.

18. Non Disclosure Agreement
• Who
• What is confidential?
• What is not?
• Time period
• Use of confidential information
• Permissible disclosure