The Patents Act 1977 allows you to have a monopoly on a product, process, mechanical device or material, etc. To be patentable, your invention must be new, involve an invention must be new, involve an inventive step and be capable of industrial application. You must avoid disclosing your invention to people not concerned with the patent application or the patent will be invalid. Patents last for a maximum of 20 years but you have to take any legal action yourself, both to prevent infringement and for periodic renewal.

Registered designs

You can register a design with the Patent Officer, again probably best handled through a patent agent. Protection is for the look, style, shape of a product or its ornament of which 50 or more will be produced.

Trade or service marks

The logo or design adopted by a firm or distinguished its products or service can be registered at the Patent Office

Copyright

This basically covers written material, but now includes computer software, films, music and works of art. It can also cover industrial designs and drawings. No registration is necessary. You are automatically covered if you create something original. It is useful to put the recognised copyright sign on © on each article to warn people that you regard the work as your intellectual properly.