Product Development

I've had a good idea but how do I protect it if I'm going to show it to other people?

Your ideas are your future success, and just as you safeguard your funds, so it is critical to protect your ideas. For this reason, it's wise to seek expert help, from either a Business Link adviser or from a solicitor.

There are a number of ways to protect an invention or innovation. Patenting is merely one of a number of options collectively termed Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). More than one protection can apply to a product or service. The main protections are:

• Patents
• Trademarks
• Copyrights
• Design Rights
• Domain Name Registration (protecting your online rights)

Each method of protection has certain qualities and benefits. For more information see our IPR factsheet. You should also visit the UK Patent Office web site for full details. There are also other FAQs relating to inventions and innovation in the Innovation section of this site.

You can use design to improve your business through the products and services you offer, and you can double its effectiveness by planning for and using design strategically. By thinking the big design picture, rather than focussing on one single product, you can link all of the parts of your company that benefit from design and create a powerful business response that is irresistible to your customers.

For design advice in your region contact your local Business Link and visit the Design Council web site.