Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

Copyright

1. What is copyright?
2. What can be considered work of an author
3. Where can I register my copyright?
4. If copyright is not bound to registration, how can I prove that I am the author?
5. When does copyright end?

Trademark

1. What is a trademark?
2. What are logos?
3. What do the different types of registration cost?
4. What are trademark consultants?

Patent

1. What is a Patent?
2. What rights does the patentee have?
3 .What are the requirements in case of a patent application?
4. What are the criteria to qualify for a patent?

i-Envelope

1. How does the i-Envelope work?
2. What possibilities does the i-Envelope offer?
3. What does it cost?
4. Can the i-Envelope be a replacement for an existing intellectual property right?
5. Can you apply for the second part of the envelope?
6. What are the advantages of the i-Envelope for a designer?

ISBN

1. What is an ISBN number?
2. What does the abbreviation ISBN stand for?
3. What does the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) consist of?
4. Can you re-use an ISBN?

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Copyright

1. What is copyright?
Copyright is the exclusive right of the creator of a work of art, lierature or science to publish or multiply his/her work.

2. What can be considered work of an author?

• Books, brochures, newsletters, magazines, translations
• Lectures, speeches or presentations
• Musical compositions
• Paintings, architecture, sculptures, handwork, illustrations
• Photographs, films, radio or television programs
• Computer programs

3. Where can I register my copyright?
You do not need to register your copyright. It is yours automatically when you have created a work of art, literature or science.

4. If copyright is not bound to registration, how can I prove that I am the author?
It is recommended to the creators to put a date on the drafts of their work. In the case of paintings it is less difficult to see on the work who is the creator. But in the case of a musical composer it is more difficult. That is why it is important to put a date on every single piece of the work.
BIP now offers the i-Envelope as a solution. The author can use the i-Envelope for works that are not yet known by the public. This is secure way to establish the date of a creation.

5. When does copyright end?
The copyright lasts till 50 years after the death of the author.

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Trademark

1. What is a trademark?
Any graphic representation intended to distinguish commodities or services can be used as a trademark. The trademark serves to distinguish products from each other, not only products that differ from each other, but also from comparable products. Thus we distinguish trade names and logos.
is laid on the word itself, besides any special typeface.

2. What are logos?
Logos are marks represented by a special typeface or design.

3. What do the different types of registration cost?
Contact us at telephone 465 7800 or at Berg Carmelweg 10-A for more information.

4. What are trademark consultants?
Trademark consultants are persons who act as intermediaries in matters related with trademarks, which may be:

• Lawyers practicing within the Netherlands Antilles,
• Natural persons, established in the Netherlands Antilles, acting as intermediaries in matters related with trademarks, and who are recognized by and registered with the BIP.

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Patent

1. What is a Patent?
A patent is an exclusive right granted by the government to a person or to a company--for a certain period of time--to make or sell an industrial product, or to exploit an invention.

2. What rights does the patentee have?
The patentee may prohibit another person to produce or sell what his patent protects.

3. What are the requirements in case of a patent application?
One can file for an application stating the following data:

• The name and the address of the applicant
• The name and the residence of the person who made the invention.
• A petition requesting a patent to be granted
• A brief indication of the object of the invention.
• A description of the invention
• A description of the object for which an exclusive right is required

4. What are the criteria to qualify for a patent?
The requirements to be met by an invention in order to qualify for a patent are:

1. Innovation
   
2. Inventiveness
   
3. Industrial applicability
   

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i-Envelope

1. How does the i-Envelope work?
It works swiftly and simply. The i-Envelope consists of two parts. In both parts the user puts an identical document in which he describes his creation. He returns all to the Bureau for Intellectual Property.Upon receipt the Bureau for Intellectual Property will perforate both envelopes with current date and time and a unique identification number, then returns one part. The second part will be kept unopened in the files of the Bureau for Intellectual Property during a period of five years.

2. What possibilities does the i-Envelope offer?
i-Envelope offers the possibility to record the creation date of a work.

3. What does it cost?
You pay only 125 Antillean Guilders. A small amount if you realize that i-Envelope hands you an effective weapon to protect your creation right from the start.

4. Can the i-Envelope be a replacement for an existing intellectual property right?
Never can the i-Envelope be a replacement for an existing intellectual property right. The Trademark, the patent and the copyright are accurately defined in specific laws, granting holders of such a right protection against use by third parties. But the i-Envelope can help you win your case in court in case of infringement of your right.

5. Can you apply for the second part of the envelope?
You may apply for it at any time, e.g. in order to use it as evidence in a legal dispute. But it will no longer be possible to return it for safe custody.

6. What are the advantages of the i-Envelope for a designer?

• A simple means to prove the date of creation
• By recording the description or representation of your design in the envelope, you also prove that you are indeed its spiritual father.
• When others claim to be the designer, you can prove the earlier existence of your design by means of the i-Envelope. The creation date is on record.
• The i-Envelope is inexpensive and very effective.

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ISBN

1. What is an ISBN?
An ISBN is an international number to register books. With this number books can be distinguished from each other and it can be deduced from what part of the world the book originates. Therefore, ISBN applications can only take place in the country the book is first published.

2. What does the abbreviation ISBN stand for?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.

3. What does the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) consist of?
Every International Standard Book Number (ISBN) consists of ten digits and whenever it is printed the letters ISBN precede the number.

4. Can you re-use an ISBN?
Each ISBN is a unique identifier for a book. An ISBN once allocated must, under no circumstances, be re-used. This is of utmost importance to avoid confusion.

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