I came up with a new format for a newspaper that doesn’t exist, Do i need a copyright or patent and why?
By Yahoo User • Category:I’m not sure if this is an invention or not…i think it may be just a format that no one has ever seen?I just don’t want someone stealing the concept and publishing it in that format, before I get the chance. Thanks for your input everyone!
Yes.To protect your proprietary rights.
yes, intellectual property is easy to steal if there is not protection on it. get it copyrighted!
If you are talking about a format, you want a copyright. . .not a patent. If you had invented a new way to make paper to print the news on or a new kind of paper, then you would want a patent. A format is more along the lines of artistic work (like painting, sculpture, writing, etc.) than along the lines of an invention. By the way, it’s easier to get a copyright than a patent.
Patent - probbly not possible.Copyright - there is no central register as copyright is automatic in most countries.You should be looking for a Registered design, which, thankfully, is cheaper than a patent.
You cannot copyright a concept or idea. It’s the printed word that is copyrighted.An invention is patented.If you have anything, it may be a trademark, but you’ll have to see an attorney.** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. **
Talk to a competent intellectual property attorney.I cannot really give you any advice until you tell me what kind of invention/innovation you came up with. And you can’t really tell me, since you risk loosing your rights by publication. So what you need is attorney advice in a setting where the you will be protected by attorney-client privilege. However my preliminary guess would be that you will have to get a patent. Copyright protects specific expression. For example if you wrote ONE article in a unique format. That ONE article in its EXACT form would be automatically protected by copyright.However if you want to protect a new SYSTEM of publishing articles — you will need a patent, as this sound like an invention. Keep in mind an invention must be both novel and non-obvious. But i repeat talk to an attorney about specifics of your idea.