What is the difference between a trademark and other intellectual property rights such as patents and designs?

All intellectual property rights are intended to protect the creativity of businesses and individuals. However, they do not cover the same aspects.

A trademark identifies the origin of goods and services of one undertaking so as to differentiate them from those of its competitors.

A design covers the appearance of a product. A design cannot protect the function of a product.

A patent covers the function, operation or construction of an invention. To be patentable, a function must be innovative, have an industrial application and be described in such a way as to permit reproduction of the process.