A GUIDE TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND NIA PROJECTS
This guide has been developed by the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) to provide innovators with a clearer understanding of intellectual property (IP) and its involvement in projects funded by our energy industry partners using the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA).
WHY DOES IP MATTER?
IP drives a large segment of the global economy and is one of your company’s most valuable assets.
TYPES OF IP
- Copyright: Protects expressive work like art, music and literature, but also covers coding and databases
- Trademarks: Protects brand names and logos
- Design Right: Protects the appearance of a physical product
- Patents: Protects rights in useful inventions and discoveries, like machines and processes.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright protects original works of authorship that are set out in any tangible medium of
expression, such as books, films and video games.
It does not protect ideas, systems, methods or processes.
Copyright protection in the UK is automatic. It doesn’t need to be applied for or registered, coming
into existence as soon as a work has been created by its author.
TRADEMARKS
A trademark is an identifier that distinguishes goods and services of one person or company from another, eg McDonald’s, Nike and PlayStation.
Trademarks can be anything from brands themselves, to logos, slogans, sounds or even colours. They can be registered in the UK by the Intellectual Property Office if qualifying criteria are met.
DESIGN RIGHT
Soley used to protect the visual appearance of an item, not the underlying idea or function. It can be registered like a trademark or unregistered like copyright
PATENTS
Patent protection is intended to reward and encourage innovation by inventors and companies.
If granted, patents stop another inventor or company from making, using or selling the same invention or process.
Patent protection must be applied for via the Patent Office. They examine the application and assess whether an invention is novel, not been publicly disclosed and is not an obvious solution to the problem the invention overcomes.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
- Record the creation dates of any copyright material
- Register any applicable trademarks or design right
- Apply for patents on inventions and discoveries that may be patentable
- Keep trade secrets
- Obtain signed non-disclosure agreements from those you share IP with
- Include confidentiality clauses in employment contracts and provide training on IP
- Never assume content is in the public domain and free to copy, download or use
- Monitor new IP application filings
- Seek legal advice if you believe your IP is being infringed, or if something you wish to use may contain the IP of another party.
NIA FUNDING AND THE EIC
The EIC works with its electricity and gas network partners to provide opportunities for innovators to develop new innovative solutions for the energy industry through NIA funded projects.
The provision of NIA funding is governed by Ofgem and requires contractual agreements be reached.
The EIC has developed contractual arrangements with its partners that meet Ofgem’s requirements, whilst providing protection for innovators and their IP.
For more information, please contact us.