Copyright protects original works created through skill and labor, with the initial owner being the creator of the work such as an author, artist, or photographer. Trademarks distinguish the goods or services of businesses and can be registered for use in specific industries. Patents grant inventors a limited monopoly on their inventions, allowing them to prevent others from commercially exploiting the patented invention without permission. Registered designs protect the visual appearance or eye appeal of objects and can secure up to 25 years of protection if renewed periodically.

1. HA1 Task 4 – Contractual, Legal,Ethical and Professional Issues.
Copyright-
Copyright normally protects the work created by, or 'originated' with, their author.
There must have been some skill, labour or judgment in the creation of the work.
The first owner will normally be the author. In most cases, the author is the person
who created the work: the composer of the text or the music, the artist, the
photographer.
Trademark-
Trademarks are badges of origin. They distinguish the goods or services of one
trader from another and can take many forms; for example words, slogans, logos,
shapes, colours and sounds.
Trade Marks are registered for specific goods or services within individual subjects,
known as classes. It is possible for others to register identical or similar marks as
long as it is in a different, unconnected class. For example Swan rental cars, Swan
matches and Swan Electricals. There are 45 classes to choose from.
Patent-
A patent for an invention is granted by government to the inventor, giving the
inventor the right to stop others, for a limited period, from making, using or selling
the invention without their permission. When a patent is granted the invention
becomes the property of the inventor, which like any other form of property or
business asset can be bought, sold, rented or hired. Patents are territorial rights: a
UK patent will only give the holder rights in the UK and rights to stop others from
importing the patented products into the UK.
Registered Design-
Registered Designs are for the eye appeal of an object. They are applied for at The
Intellectual Property Office.
Britain also has a ‘Design Right’ providing automatic protection for 15 years from
the date of creation, even when a registered design is not applied for.
From August 1989, registered designs have a maximum of 25 years protection
subject to renewal fees.