Designers get protection

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Designers get protection

Computer designers may want to be more cautious about duplicating ― or even imitating ― icons, avatars, “emoticons” and other forms of computer graphics. The Korea Intellectual Property Office announced Thursday that it would expand design copyrights to include computer graphics. Previously, only tangible products were eligible for design copyrights. As a result, designers will no longer be able to copy competitors’ computer graphics for use in Web sites or software. The copyrights will last 10 years. The committee specified that the copyrights will cover user interface graphics on Web sites, as well as software and home appliances ― including 1iquid crystal information displays on items such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, and CD player. Also covered will be designs used on the screens of cellular phones and personal digital assistants, as well as screen savers, computer game avatars and emoticons. “As information technology develops, the importance of computer graphics gets higher. The industry has asked us to protect the designs,” said an official at the office. Japan moved to protect the copyrights of such designs last year, and the United States has done so since 1995. Before now, designers hadn’t been prevented from copying icons or avatars. However, both duplicating and imitating such designs will now be prohibited. Unlike other copyrights, design copyrights regard similar, not necessarily identical, designs as violations. Kim Dong-gyun, a patent lawyer at You Me Patent and Law Firm, said, “If one copies or imitates the copyrighted first pages of Web sites, or the copyrighted graphic user interface, icons and avatars of software to use for his business, then he is likely to be involved in a legal dispute.” The office exempted simple designs that can be created by anyone, so as not to restrict creativity. Also, the office said, a creator must copyright his design within six months of creating it. by Choi Ji-young
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