Why does technology raise intellectual property questions?
Technology products and businesses often contain several different forms of intellectual property. A software product may contain copyright in its source code, a trade mark in its name and logo, and confidential information in its source code, technical processes or business methods. A physical technology product may also involve patents, industrial designs, copyright and trade marks.
Technology is therefore not itself an intellectual property right. The relevant question is what has been created, what gives it value and what legal protection applies to that particular part of the technology.
A technology business may have several separate rights and interests in the same product. Understanding those rights makes it easier to decide what should be registered, what should remain confidential and what should be dealt with through contracts.