---
title: "Copyright, patent right and trademark"
subject: "Engineering Professional Practice"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:copyright-patent-trademark"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/copyright-patent-trademark
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Copyright, patent right and trademark

Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 5: Regulatory Environment

- Asked in: 2074 Magh, 6 marks; 2071 Magh, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Patent Trademarks and Copyrights, Copyright Patent and Trademarks, IPR, Intellectual Property rights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ8tRdcr0xQ) — DWIVEDI GUIDANCE
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/copyright-patent-trademark
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-5

## Question

Explain copyright (act), patent right and trademark.

## Short answer

Copyright protects original literary, artistic and musical works automatically for life plus 50 years. A patent grants exclusive rights to a new, inventive, industrially applicable invention for 7 years, renewable twice. A trademark is a distinctive sign identifying goods/services, registered for 7 years and renewable indefinitely.

## Answer

**Intellectual property rights (IPR)** protect creations of the mind. The three main types are:

#### Copyright (Copyright Act 2059)
Copyright protects the original expression of an author in **literary, artistic, scientific and musical works**, including **computer programs**, databases, drawings, plans, photographs and films. It arises automatically on creation; registration at the Copyright Registrar's Office is not compulsory but helps as proof.
- **Rights:** the author has economic rights (copying, publishing, selling, translating, adapting) and moral rights (the right to be named, and to object to distortion).
- **Duration:** generally the author's lifetime plus 50 years.
- **Infringement** (unauthorised copying, piracy) is punished with a fine and compensation. Ideas themselves are not protected, only their expression.

#### Patent right (Patent, Design and Trademark Act 2022)
A patent is an exclusive right given to the inventor of a **new invention** (product or process) that is novel, involves an inventive step and is industrially applicable. It is registered with the Department of Industry. The holder can stop others from making, using or selling the invention for a fixed period (7 years, renewable for two further terms of 7 years each as per the Act). In return, the invention is disclosed to the public. Example: a new method of water purification.

#### Trademark
A trademark is a **sign, name, symbol, logo or mark** that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from those of another. It is registered under the same 2022 Act; the owner has the exclusive right to use it and to stop imitation. Registration is for 7 years and can be renewed repeatedly, so protection can be long-lasting. Example: the logo of a company.

Together these protect creators, encourage innovation and give them a fair return.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What does copyright protect?
   A. Ideas themselves
   B. The original expression of a work, such as writing, drawings and computer programs
   C. New industrial inventions
   D. Business logos only
   Answer: B. Copyright protects expression, not the ideas behind it. (Key point: What copyright protects)

2. Which statement about copyright is correct?
   A. It needs compulsory registration and lasts 7 years
   B. It arises automatically and generally lasts the author's life plus 50 years
   C. It arises only after patent approval
   D. It lasts 14 years
   Answer: B. Copyright arises on creation, registration is not compulsory, and the term is generally life plus 50 years. (Key point: Copyright duration and registration)

3. Which set of conditions must an invention meet for a patent?
   A. Popular, cheap and old
   B. Novel, inventive step and industrially applicable
   C. Artistic, original and signed
   D. Distinctive, not deceptive and registered
   Answer: B. A patent needs novelty, an inventive step and industrial applicability. (Key point: Patent conditions)

## Related in Engineering Professional Practice

- [Tort law; copyright vs patent right](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Atort-reasons-copyright-patent) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2
- [Patent vs trademark; business organization](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Apatent-trademark-business-law) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 5