Vol. 486 No. 2
100 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether it is possible for a designer and choreographer of new dance routines to patent those designs; if so, the procedures for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2306/98]
Under the Patents Act, 1992, a patent may only be granted for an invention which is susceptible of industrial application, is new and involves an incentive step. Consequently, choreography and dance routines do not qualify for the grant of a patent. Protection for this kind of creative activity may fall into the realm of the Copyright Acts, 1963 to 1987, which provide protection for certain works, including literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works.
