Apply for sole rights
You can apply for several types of exclusive rights for the same idea or the same product: See the example above. A bicycle helmet may contain:
- technical elements that can be protected with patents,
- the design and outward appearance may be protected by design registration, and
- the name and logo associated with the helmet may be registered as a trademark.
Tips: Perhaps you also need to protect a domain or company name. Read more about these and other strategies further down this page.
Other strategies
Domain and company names
You should also consider whether you need to protect a domain or company name, so that you ensure full freedom to use that particular name and prevent others from using it. Check namesearch.no to see if both domain name, company name and trademark are available - all three in one search.
Business concepts and ideas
A business idea, concept or method may in principle not be registered as either a patent, trademark or design, but marketing law may give some protection against the copying of such concepts and where others try to take advantage of your efforts.
Secrecy
You may also choose to protect your invention or process by keeping them secret. If you choose this strategy it is important to have good agreements with any partners who need to have insight into the business, so you avoid unwanted copying or trade secrets going astray.
Copyright
The term copyright refers to the intellectual ownership of a literary and artistic work, for example a piece of music, a book, a painting, hand made artefacts, or a film. You obtain copyright to an intellectual work the moment you create it.
Applying in other countries
If you wish to apply for sole rights to your idea in other countries, it is important to consider this at an early point, particularly for inventions. The application process can be complex and it will often pay to get the help of a professional advisor.
More information about trademark registration in other countries
More information about design registration in other countries
More information about patents in other countries
We can help you
You can contact us at the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) if you have questions concerning what type of protection is right for you or your company. Ring our Customer Service Centre at +47 22 38 73 00 and talk to an adviser or a case officer. You are also welcome to visit us at our premises in Oslo.
Professional advisers
A professional patent agency or patent attorney can help you prepare and formulate your patent application and follow up important deadlines and payments, such as annual fees. Patent agencies are experts on all types of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, designs and IPR strategies.
Check list of professional advisers on IPRhjelp.no (in Norwegian)
Other organisations and institutions
Innovation Norway, Research Council of Norway, Design and Architecture Norway, Siva's network of clusters, incubators and catapult centres etc. can help you with your business strategy or offer you financial aid.
See "Start and run a business" at the Altinn portal
Cases - learn from others
Learn more about how other businesses safeguard their ideas and technology.
See more cases