Trade marks
Trade marks are signs which distinguish the goods and services of a particular business (ie its brand). Trade marks come in many different forms, the most common being logos, words and slogans. For more information, read Trade marks.
Patents
A patent protects your inventions so that no one else can copy, manufacture, sell or import without permission for up to 20 years. The new inventions must be new, involve an inventive step and be capable of industrial application. For further information, read Patents.
Registered and unregistered design rights
Design rights protect how a product looks and prevent others from copying it. Unregistered rights automatically arise on the creation of the product. Where the design is new and original you can apply for registered design right at the Intellectual Property Office. For further information, read Registered and unregistered design rights.
Copyright
Copyright protects tangible creative works, such as novels, art, music and maps. There is no need to register copyright and can last up to 70 years after the death of the creator. For more information, read Copyright.