IPMS Consultants- providing professional services relating primarily to Patents, TradeMarks, Designs

IPMS offers the service of a trademark search along with a legal opinion as to the "registerability" of your mark. We take pride in saving unnecessary application fees when the mark in question is unlikely to register from the beginning. Based on our familiarity with Trademarks, we can also help you select a "registerable" mark should there be any problem with the mark you have chosen. Our chartered trademark attorneys have over ten years experience in handling worldwide trademark application.

In addition, IPMS offers the unique service of graphic design and identity development for your trademark or servicemark.

All progress, all success, springs from thinking. It makes sense to protect an idea, before you make it, and before someone else profits from it. It could be your most valuable asset. You need to be careful to avoid losing your rights.

 

Copyright is a legal term describing rights given to creators for their literary and artistic works. The Copyrights are literary works (such as novels, poems, plays, reference works, newspapers and computer programs, dramatic works, musical works, artistic works and graphic works. How is Copyright obtained? In the Hong Kong and UK, Copyright in a work comes into existence automatically when the work is created. How is Copyright be registered? Copyright itself does not depend on official procedures. A created work is considered protected by copyright as soon as it exists. There is no statutory requirement to register Copyright in the Hong Kong and UK nor any formal Register available to record any claim to own the Copyright in any particular work. In the China and U.S.A copyright registration may be necessary, or beneficial. Further details can be supplied on request.

A design relates to aesthetic features of the external appearance of an article. The new visible shape, configuration, pattern, ornament or surface decorations applied to the article by an industrial process are features capable of protection by design registration. A registered design right protects the appearance of the product. A registered design gives the designer a monopoly over the design. Are all Designs registrable? No. Broadly speaking a design must be new with regard to anything which is previously known in the Hong Kong and China before the date of filing of an application to register the design. As a general rule, to be registrable, the design must be "new" or "original". Different countries have varying definitions of such terms, as well as variations in the process itself. Why protect industrial designs? Industrial designs are what make an article attractive; hence, they add to the commercial value of a product and increase its marketability. When an industrial designs is registered, the owner is assured an exclusive right against unauthorized copying or imitation of the design by third parties. An effective system of protection also benefits consumers and the public at large, by promoting fair competition, encouraging creativity, and promoting more aesthetically attractive products. All progress, all success, springs from thinking. It makes sense to protect an idea, before you make it, and before someone else profits from it. It could be your most valuable asset. You need to be careful to avoid losing your rights.

As a Patent Agent, we represent clients before the Intellectual Property Department (The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region) on all patent matters. If you have created a new or improved product, article of manufacture, chemical composition, process and all new design of a functional item. Your chances for success depend on the action you take to patent the idea. What is a Patent? A Patent gives the patentee exclusive rights to an invention, in return for full disclosure to the public, for a set period of time is 20 years (most other countries). Are all inventions patentable? No, to be patentable an invention has to be novelty and not obvious to a person of ordinary skill who is experienced in that particular technology. In many countries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, plant or animal varieties, discoveries of natural substances or methods for medical treatment are generally not patentable. Also, in order to obtain a valid Patent, most countries require a patent application to be filed before the invention is made available to the public in any way. Why should I protect my invention? Patents are often a good warning to the other businesses. Many competitors are now more aware of Patents and the consequences of being found to be infringing a Patent. When viewed over 20 year life of the Patent, it is very cost effective for the protection which is obtained. Patents can be used to gain capital. They can be sold, or mortgaged to a bank to raise funds. You can also license your Patent in order to raise funds through royalty payments. All progress, all success, springs from thinking. It makes sense to protect an idea, before you make it, and before someone else profits from it. It could be your most valuable asset. You need to be careful to avoid losing your rights.