This mini-lesson explains how designers protect their work as intellectual property — patents (inventions), copyright (artistic works), design rights (appearance) and trademarks (brand identity) — and how long each lasts.
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Press Start when you’re ready.
Overview
Why protect a design?
Developing a product costs time and money, so designers protect their work as intellectual property (IP). This stops others copying it and lets the owner license or sell the rights. The four main UK rights are patents, copyright, design rights and trademarks, administered by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
Patents
Patents
A patent protects a new invention — how something works. To be granted it must be novel, involve an inventive step and be capable of industrial application.
You must apply for it and publicly disclose the invention.
A UK patent lasts up to 20 years from the filing date (with renewal fees).
It gives the owner the right to stop others making or selling the invention.
Quick check
What does a patent protect?
?An engineer invents a genuinely new mechanism for a folding bicycle hinge. Which IP right protects how it works?
Copyright
Copyright
Copyright protects original artistic, literary, musical and dramatic works — including drawings, photographs, software and written text.
In the UK it lasts the creator’s life plus 70 years.
Quick check
Registering copyright
?A student takes an original product photograph. What must they do to gain copyright protection?
Design rights
Design rights
Registered design — protects the appearance of a product (shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation). A UK registered design can last up to 25 years, renewed every 5 years.
Unregistered design right — automatic but shorter protection for the shape/configuration of a product.
Quick check
Registered vs unregistered design
?Why might a company formally register a design rather than rely on unregistered design right?
Trademarks
Trademarks
A trademark protects a brand identity — a name, logo, symbol, slogan or even a colour or sound that distinguishes a company’s goods.
® = a registered trademark; ™ = an unregistered mark in use.
A registered trademark lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
Match it
Match the right to what it protects
Tap a right, then tap what it protects (and its term).
Term
Match
Calculate
Your turn — patent term remaining
∑A patent was filed in 2015 and runs for the full maximum term of 20 years. How many years of protection remain in 2026?
years
Hint: expiry year = 2015 + 20 = 2035, then 2035 − 2026.
Sort it
Which IP right applies?
Tap an example, then tap the right that best protects it.
⚙️ Patent
🎨 Copyright
™️ Trademark
In practice
Protecting ideas in practice
Before rights are granted, designers keep ideas confidential using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and dated design records. Some choose speed to market or open/Creative Commons licensing instead of, or alongside, formal IP.
Recap
The big ideas to know
Patent: protects an invention (function); up to 20 years; must be applied for.
Copyright: automatic; original artistic/literary works; life + 70 years.
Design right: registered protects appearance up to 25 years; unregistered is shorter.
Trademark: brand identity; ® registered; 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
Confidentiality: NDAs and dated records protect ideas before rights are granted.
Enforced by: the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
You’ve covered the key ideas for this topic. Press Finish to see your score.
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You’ve worked through Protecting Designs and Intellectual Property for AQA A-level Product Design (7552). 🎉
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