Protecting your intellectual property and selling it

Abstract

Intellectual Property - group of rights used to protect literary, artistic and industrial property.

Generally separated into the categories of:

• Copyright
• Trade marks
• Designs
• Patents

But also extends to specific subject matter of plant variety rights and circuit layouts and general information that is confidential such as trade secrets and protection of goodwill and reputation through the action of passing off.

New information, be it a new computer program or novel device, developed by an organisation is valuable to it. So too is the organisation name and reputation. While some protection is automatic, like copyright, other protection and rights must be obtained under various legislation. When dealing with employees and third parties, ownership of existing and new rights needs to be clearly established so that rights are not lost.

Obligations in relation to the use of certain property and any confidential information must also be clearly established...