General legal information about contract terms in the UK, not legal advice.
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Intellectual property rights

Intellectual property rights include copyright, trade marks, designs, patents and database rights, together with confidential know-how. Contracts define them widely so that ownership and licences cover everything created.

Prepared by a retired English qualified solicitor (LLB, LLM) · reviewed · applies across the UK unless stated · how we draft

In more detail

The default position is that the creator or employer owns them, so an assignment or licence is needed to transfer rights to someone else.

In Scotland

UK intellectual property legislation applies across the UK, including Scotland.

Put it into a contract

Be Contract Wise provides very powerful, carefully prepared tools to draft and review simple or complex contracts under the law of England and Wales or Scots law, explaining every clause in plain English.

England & Wales appScotland app

Reviewed 2026-09-24. General legal information, not legal advice.