What’s happening here? Olivia and Tom are studying for a Degree in Structural Engineering. Their task is to design a steel structure and calculate the loads on each beam and joint. They both need a good mark. Olivia notices that Tom has copied a specific feature of her design and is now trying to copy her calculations of the load on that feature. “Stop stealing from me!” she says. What exactly has Tom stolen from Olivia?

What’s happening here? What exactly has Tom ‘stolen’ from Olivia? What value does Olivia’s work have for Olivia and for Tom? How does Tom’s ‘theft’ affect Olivia? If Olivia chose to share her work does it still have this value? What if Olivia and Tom were competing to win a competition or prize – how would Tom’s use of Olivia’s ideas affect Olivia and Tom?

What’s happening here? What exactly has Tom ‘stolen’ from Olivia? (Olivia’s original ideas and work.) What value does Olivia’s work have Olivia and for Tom? (Olivia’s work will help Olivia and Tom pass their course with good grades. It has particular value for Olivia because it’s her own effort.) How does Tom’s ‘theft’ affect Olivia? (While it won’t prevent Olivia from getting a good grade herself, Olivia will feel a sense of injustice: she has earned her grade, while Tom has not. She may feel this devalues her own efforts.) If Olivia chose to share her work does it still have this value? (Olivia would not feel the sense of injustice because she has chosen to share her work – Tom’s theft has not devalued it.) What if Olivia and Tom were competing to win a competition or prize – how would Tom’s use of Olivia’s ideas affect Olivia and Tom? (Tom may directly prevent Olivia from winning, even if he does not win himself – the judges would note the similarity but would not know who was original and who was not.)

What is intellectual property (IP) and why is it important?

What is intellectual property (IP) and why is it important? Intellectual property (IP) is something unique that you physically create. An idea alone is not IP: an idea for a book doesn’t count, but the words you’ve written do. It includes: ‘IP rights’ grant the creator of IP exclusive rights for benefiting from and exploiting their creations. IP can be bought, sold, hired or licensed in the same way as physical property. The owner has control over it and may be rewarded for its development and use. If you have created something new or innovative you (usually) have the right to benefit from it. music a brand films TV an invention designs artwork sound recordings writing software photography web content

IP around us: a smartphone Can you identify the IP? What makes this unique?

IP around us: a smartphone The external design and internal design of components and parts. The design and functionality of chips and other circuits. Perhaps, unique ways of making and assembling these components. Software code and functionality (what it does). User interface (UI) design and functionality (what it looks like on screen and how it works).

IP around us: the Firefox web browser This is interesting because while the logo is a trademark and may only be used under certain terms and conditions, the source code is free software and can be freely modified and redistributed. Can you identify the IP? What makes this unique?

IP around us: the Firefox web browser Software code and functionality (what it does). User interface (UI) design and functionality (what it looks like on screen and how it works). Even though the logo is trademarked, the source code is free software and can be freely modified and redistributed. This is interesting because while the logo is a trademark and may only be used under certain terms and conditions, the source code is free software and can be freely modified and redistributed.

IP around us: a paperclip Can you identify the IP? What makes this unique? This is interesting because it’s simple and ubiquitous – many types of paperclips were patented. But the most common ‘Gem’ type as seen above, dating from the 1870s, never was. But they are still the result of someone’s creativity and IP. Every ’created’ thing has IP. But because IP protections often have a limited lifespan, we’re surrounded by items that are now free to produce.

IP around us: a paperclip The unique shape and design. The ‘Gem’ paperclip as seen here, dating from the 1870s, was never patented. But they are still the result of someone’s creativity and IP. This is interesting because it’s simple and ubiquitous – many types of paperclips were patented. But the most common ‘Gem’ type as seen above, dating from the 1870s, never was. But they are still the result of someone’s creativity and IP. Every ’created’ thing has IP. But because IP protections often have a limited lifespan, we’re surrounded by items that are now free to produce.

Where’s the value in IP? Value for customers: how IP benefits people who buy and use the product. Value for companies: how the IP creates revenue and makes the company more valuable. Value for society: how society benefits from people or organisations using this IP.

Where’s the value in IP? A smartphone Value for customers: Makes it easy to communicate, navigate, find things out, shop and be entertained. Value for companies: Smartphone designs and patents generate sales income for the company making the phones or licensing the component or software. Value for society: Smartphones provide ways for people to avoid getting lost, obtain information and learn, get help when they need it, keep in touch with friends and relatives, and even benefit from running their business or managing their money.

Protecting IP Term Protects Application process Patents Up to 20 years   Term Protects Application process Patents Up to 20 years The novel and unique feature or features of an invention Apply to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Trade marks Can last for ever Brand identity such as words, logos, sound, colours Register with the IPO Designs Up to 25 years A product’s shape and decoration Design right Up to 10 years after it was first sold or 15 years after it was created Design right only applies to the shape and configuration Automatic - though you’ll need proof of when you created a design Copyright Usually creator’s life plus 70 years Music, art, film, literary works and broadcasts Automatic

IP – the ethical debate When might IP have an important not-for-profit application? Are there situations where individuals or companies might decide not to protect their IP?

Volvo and seat belts In the 1950s a Volvo engineer patented the familiar three-point inertial seat belt which is now fitted in all cars. It was a revolutionary invention that transformed car safety, and would have been extremely valuable to Volvo either through sales of safer Volvo cars, or through licensing other manufacturers to use the invention. But instead, Volvo chose to allow other car manufacturers to use the patent at no cost.

Volvo and seat belts Why might Volvo have done this? Why did Volvo apply for a patent before sharing knowledge of the three-point inertial seat belt? What other kinds of IP do you think should always be freely available to share and use? What about when IP costs a lot to create (like drug testing) – how can the company recoup these costs if they freely share their IP?

Volvo and seat belts Why might Volvo have done this? (They felt that it was not ethical to charge other producers for using such an important safety device.) Why did Volvo patent the three-point inertial seat belt before sharing it? (To ensure other manufacturers could not profit by protecting the IP themselves.) What other kinds of IP do you think should always be freely available to share and use? What about when IP costs a lot to create (like drug testing) – how can the company recoup these costs if they freely share their IP? (They probably can’t, but instead make the choice to absorb this cost.)