Budding inventors are being urged to seek legal advice to protect their intellectual property before releasing their iPhone "apps" into the public domain.
Apple iPhone applications can be worth thousands of pounds a day and anyone with a laptop and a good idea can stake their claim. But, as the rush to create new apps gathers pace, prospective app-inventors will be one step ahead if they are aware of copyright and intellectual property laws to ensure their ideas are properly protected, according to the UK Law Society.
“Intellectual property rights form a vital part of any inventors' assets,” says the Law Society. “These rights underpin brand image, protect inventions and creative works and cover the vast array of confidential information and copyright works a company or individual may possess.”
The Society points out, however, that individuals and businesses must also be aware of rights held by third parties, as infringing on those rights can result in a dispute with highly damaging financial and other consequences.
"Specialist legal advice from a solicitor is needed when parties wish to identify or register rights,” commented Isabel Davies, Chair of the Law Society Intellectual Property Working Group and Senior Partner of the Intellectual Property team at CMS Cameron McKenna.
“Many businesses or individuals hold a substantial amount of intellectual property without realising it,” she added. “The process for applying to register a trade mark or design or apply for a patent, for example, is governed by a wide range of legislation. Registered trade marks and designs can be obtained at national level, at community level or an international application can be made. Lawyers can provide advice on the most appropriate application and ensure that the process is conducted correctly. Intellectual property rights have applicable international conventions which can assist with their registration in other jurisdictions."
While many inventors allow their iPhone apps to be used for free, with 17 million iPhone users around the world, it is easy to see why many app inventors will be keen to cash in on their ideas. There are more than 30,000 apps available for download, with the number growing rapidly all the time.
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