What intellectual property is ... Having the right type of intellectual property protection helps you to stop people stealing or copying: ... Copyright, patents, designs and ...CookiesonGOV.UKWeusesomeessentialcookiestomakethiswebsitework.We’dliketosetadditionalcookiestounderstandhowyouuseGOV.UK,rememberyoursettingsandimprovegovernmentservices.Wealsousecookiessetbyothersitestohelpusdelivercontentfromtheirservices.AcceptadditionalcookiesRejectadditionalcookiesViewcookiesYoucanchangeyourcookiesettingsatanytime.HidethismessageSkiptomaincontentCoronavirus(COVID-19)Rules,guidanceandsupportHomeBusinessandself-employedPatents,trademarks,copyrightanddesignsIntellectualpropertyandyourworkSkiptocontentsofguideContentsWhatintellectualpropertyisProtectyourintellectualpropertyWhatintellectualpropertyisHavingtherighttypeofintellectualpropertyprotectionhelpsyoutostoppeoplestealingorcopying:thenamesofyourproductsorbrandsyourinventionsthedesignorlookofyourproductsthingsyouwrite,makeorproduceCopyright,patents,designsandtrademarksarealltypesofintellectualpropertyprotection.Yougetsometypesofprotectionautomatically,othersyouhavetoapplyfor.WhatcountsasintellectualpropertyIntellectualpropertyissomethingthatyoucreateusingyourmind-forexample,astory,aninvention,anartisticworkorasymbol.OwningintellectualpropertyYouownintellectualpropertyifyou:createdit(anditmeetstherequirementsforcopyright,apatentoradesign)boughtintellectualpropertyrightsfromthecreatororapreviousownerhaveabrandthatcouldbeatrademark,forexample,awell-knownproductnameIntellectualpropertycan:havemorethanoneownerbelongtopeopleorbusinessesbesoldortransferredIntellectualpropertyrightsallowyoutomakemoneyfromtheintellectualpropertyyouown.Intellectualpropertyifyou’reself-employedIfyou’reself-employed,youusuallyowntheintellectualpropertyevenifyourworkwascommissionedbysomeoneelse-unlessyourcontractwiththemgivesthemtherights.Youusuallywillnotowntheintellectualpropertyforsomethingyoucreatedaspartofyourworkwhileyouwereemployedbysomeoneelse.