A patent protects inventions which describe a practical solution to a problem where the solution is of a technical nature or effect and is reproducible. You can not be granted a patent for an idea without describing or showing how the solution works in practice.

Processes, products and devices can be patented, for example zip fasteners, computer technology and blood analyses.

Read more about patents

If you wish to protect a brand name for your product or company name, logo or slogan, you can apply for trademark protection.

Read more about trademarks and trademark registration

Do you wish to protect your company name? Remember to check whether the name is already in use at the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Do you wish to register an Internet domain or web address? Contact Norid for more information.

A design applies to the shape and outward appearance of a product or part of a product.

Protection covers also non-physical articles, such as screen images for web, typefaces and graphic symbols. Ornamentation, for example the pattern on chinaware, and interior design, for example for a café.

Read more about designs and design registration

Company / Business registration - if you wish to register a company, contact Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Copyright / Intellectual property - the right to literary and artistic works, for example music, a novel, a painting, a film etc. You can find more information on copyright regulations in Norway at www.clara.no/english/, or by contacting the Ministry of Culture.

Domain names - if you wish to register an Internet domain or web address, contact Norid for more information.