Startup Howtos: How to protect your business with Intellectual Property? (II)
02-03-2021
The article “Startup Howtos: Do entrepreneurs need to pay attention to IP? (I)” has gathered information on IP and trademark for protecting your own business and products. Go ahead to check out more information on registered designs, patents, copyright, trade secrets and unleash your brand value!
Q: What is a registered design?
A: The individual designs of a wide range of products, for example computers, telephones, textiles, jewellery and watches, can be protected by registration of their designs.
A registered design owner has the right to prevent others from manufacturing, importing, selling or hiring the registered design product.
Registered design protection is renewable for a maximum of 25 years.
Q: What are patents?
A: Patents protect inventions, that is products, substances, or processes which are new and inventive. Patent owners have the right to prevent others from manufacturing, using, selling, or importing the invention.
There are two types of patents in the Hong Kong SAR. Protection under standard patents is renewable for a maximum of 20 years. Protection under short-term patents is renewable for a maximum term of eight years.
Q: What is copyright?
A: In general, copyright is the right given to the owner of an original work. This right can subsist in literary works, musical works, dramatic works, artistic works, sound recordings, films, broadcasts, cable programmes and the typographical arrangement of published editions of literary, dramatic or musical works, as well as performers' performances. Copyright works made available on the Internet environment are also protected. It is not necessary to register a copyright in the Hong Kong SAR, in order to get protection under the law of the Hong Kong SAR.
Q: What is Trade Secrets and undisclosed Commercial Information?
A: Trade secrets and undisclosed commercial information are confidential information in a commercial setting, such as formulaes, methods, technologies, designs, product specifications, business plans and client lists, that have commercial value.
Watch the two videos below to learn more about how to explore business opportunities through licensing and patent commercialisation. (Videos are available in Chinese only)
Source: Intellectual Property Department
“Startup How-tos” is an introductory guidebook written for entrepreneurship newbies, providing startup tips and related public services information.
