Types of legal protection for fashion A-level fashion and textiles

Copyright

used to protect artistic, photographic, or other physically expressed creative pieces. Lasts up to 70 years after creator's death

Design right

can be used to automatically protect textile designs, 15 years after creation, 10 years after first sold

Patent

used for new innovative inventions, NOT aesthetic work. Difficult to obtain, and expensive. Lasts for 20 years.

Registered designs

shape appearance and decoration protected up to 25 years. Register with intellectual property office.

Trademark

recognisable and unique combination of words, sounds, colours, and symbols used to identify a brand. Can be registered to offer legal protection