Intellectual Property Issues

If you are looking at self employment as a Maker-Seller and a possible purchase of a Workingswell license, or if you are an accomplished Artisan considering becoming a Workingswell contributor, you will need an understanding of related intellectual property (IP) issues. 

Workingswell is about describing, claiming and marketing innovation internationally, so contributors must ensure that they are indeed the innovators and that what they are offering will not infringe on the intellectual property of others. This requires that they conduct a search for patents for similar items and any similar items that may be in production. People considering a license purchase may wish to carry out their own independent search. The internet age has made such searches much easier, even for untrained people, with Intellectual property offices of most countries providing access to their data banks. However the process can still be time consuming and confusing so many companies flourish by offering professionals expert in the search process.

The Workingswell licensing system uses basic contract law, laws concerning confidentiality, and Intellectual property protection laws regarding patents, copyrights and protection of trade secrets.
These laws vary in detail and use differing terms from country to country but are essentially the same internationally.

Workingswell contributors have varying degrees of intellectual property registration. Some may have full patents on inventions or design patents on a number of their products. Others went straight into marketing their creations thus publishing them without formal protection. The absence of a patent should not be seen as a lack of value. The value of a Workingswell license lies not so much on any exclusive right to produce an item but in training that includes the confidential release of trade secrets regarding the items manufacture and marketing. The licensed use of patented or copyright protected material forms part of that confidential disclosure.

Here are some major government sites that offer explanations of intellectual property issues.
Australian Government IP Toolbox  This easy to use I.P. Toolbox offers a lot of information 
Own it.org  Intellectual Property Advice for Creative Industries. U.K. based free service funded by The London Development Agency.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office  An I.P. Toolkit provides a lot of free information.
U.S.Patent office   Advice aimed at small business

Here are government databases to assist in patent searches
IP Austraila.
USPTO  How to search the U.S. database
World Intellectual property office  Search International Patent Applications.

There are many non government websites that offer an explanation of intellectual property laws including the various types of intellectual property and how they can be registered. Of course many also sell assistance in obtaining patents and other services so cannot be considered to be without self interest.
Workingswell does not offer IP advice to individuals. In general we advise caution! Be aware that providing IP assistance  is a huge industry that is definitely buyer beware in nature.