Introduction to IP regulations
The products of the creative process, such as a technical innovation, written work, a design, drawing or new process can all be legally protected from intellectual theft using patent or copyright law. Trademarks and trade names, too, can be protected from unlawful use by other parties under trademark law.
The range of legal tools at your disposal for intellectual property protection, besides the above, include design rights, plant breeders’ rights, and topographies of semiconductor products (microchips) Resorting to the legal protection afforded by these instruments allows the inventor or creator of intellectual property to have the opportunity to bear the fruits of their labor. Below is an indication of the types of legal tool, their blanket term and the types of work that they can protect
| Right | Type | Use |
| Copyright | For works of literature, art and science | |
| Industrial property rights | Patent right | For new products or processes |
| Trademark right | For word or picture trademarks | |
| Design right | For the appearance of a utility product | |
| Plant breeder's right | For plants | |
| Topographies of semiconductor products | For 'microchips' |
The VU has a scheme of regulations in place that define the rights and responsibilities of those involved in the creative process. These are the rules with respect to protection and commercialization of knowledge and intellectual property rights.
The IP regulations also provide clarity about the rights of all the relevant parties within the VU and VUmc, and these are the inventor(s), the department, and the VU or VUmc. A key aspect is that the ‘inventor(s)’ are entitled to one third of the income of the potential future income. In addition, the rules outlining participation in spin-off companies are specified in the IP regulations.
