Copyright and Trademark: Apple's International Business Law

This research proposal investigates the critical role of copyright and trademark in international business, using Apple as a case study. It aims to define these intellectual property rights, analyze their benefits for companies operating globally, and identify potential challenges and consequences of infringement. The study will explore the existing literature on copyright and trademark, examining their impact on business innovation, brand protection, and economic value. The research methodology employs a mixed-methods approach, combining positivism and interpretivism with inductive and deductive reasoning, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis through thematic methods. The objectives include identifying concepts of copyright and trademark, determining benefits regarding protection of Trademarks and copyrights, outlining challenges and consequences of infringement and recommending factors for effective use of trademarks and copyrights. The research is designed to offer practical recommendations for businesses to effectively manage their intellectual property in the international market, providing a comprehensive understanding of the legal and strategic aspects of copyright and trademark protection.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(Rights of copyright and trademark in
international business law)

TITLE
To assess benefits associated with Copyright and trademark law in context of
international business.
BACKGROUND
Copyright and trademark are such rights which are usually designed to protect the interest
of business and person if they innovate new things in context of bringing changes in the business
and country. Thus copyright refer to the rights to copy and security in relation to computer
software, music lyrics and other artistic work which is related to bringing any innovation and
creative in their work can be copyright1. The factors related to ideas, discoveries from other
things ad logos are not to be copyright under the copyright law. In case of trade mark, it is
denotes with the symbols, logos, service mark and also any sign which denote the important part
of the company. Thus, they are to be trade mark under the trade mark Act and also they protect
the rights of the person in case of infringement their services and design.
Such research is based on Apple company and also their international business dealing in
context of protecting their right in relation to trade mark and copyright. Thus, Apple company is
one of the successful technology based company deals in computer software, online services,
Phones and consumer electronics providers2. They launch various design on phones and I pad
and also came up with various software which they adapted copyright and also take a trademark
reading their logos which is famous around the world. Apple company was founded by Steve
Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak in 1976. The company is engaged with large number of
employees working and carry their operational activities around the world and also they opened
500+retail stores to sell the products and provide services to apple users.
1) Proposed Research question
1. What is the meaning of copyright and trade mark in context of business?
2. How to examine the rights and benefits regarding protection of Trademarks and
copyrights of companies in international market?
1 Drahos, Peter. A philosophy of intellectual property. Routledge, 2016.
2 Bettig, Ronald V. Copyrighting culture: The political economy of intellectual property.
Routledge, 2018.

3. What are the challenges and consequences in case of infringement of trademark and
copyright?
4. What are the factors that is to be recommand to company for effective use of trademarks
and copyrights?
2) Aim of Dissertation
To identify the rights of copyright and trademark in relation to international corporate
law — A study on Apple company
3) Objective of Dissertation
 To identify the concept of copyright and trade mark in context of business.
 To determine the rights and benefits regarding protection of Trademarks and copyrights
of companies in international market.
 To outline the challenges and consequences in case of infringement of trademark and
copyright.
 To recommending company regarding various factors enhancing the effective use of
trademarks and copyrights.
4) Position in Existing Literature
Theme 1: Concept of copyright and trade mark in context of business
According to Morcol and et.al., (2017)3states that Copyrights is such a right which is
given or adapted by the original creators of such product which is exclusive from the other
products and also not carry any similarity. Thus, in such cases copyright are given to the person
or any company which invest any such products which is useful to the country and which not
violates any such laws and regulation. If any person or company invests any product which is in
respect of tangible form such as music lyrics, designs, any computer software systems and also
the website which is designed by person or company to enhance their business at international
level in that case they applied for copyrights and also they enjoy such right for 70 year as it is
governed under the corporate laws.
Lord, (2016) 4Argued that copyright not protect such factors which are also important to
person in brining changes to the business at international level. Such factors may be related to
3 Morcol, Goktug, Lorlene Hoyt, Jack W. Meek, and Ulf Zimmermann, eds. Business
improvement districts: Research, theories, and controversies. Routledge, 2017.

ideas, discoveries from the old concept, brand name, logos and also the domain name which is
used by companies are also to protected under the copyright law. Thus, it causes major impact on
companies when they adapted such procedure of taking copyright to their inventions. It also
identifies that the procedure of taking the copyright is also long and thus it results in more
chances of infringement of their rights.
Sekaran and Bougie, (2016) 5Suggested that Trademark is mainly related to logos,
symbol, words or any mark which represent or reflect the name of the company and it is
specially designed so that it different the company products from different product. Customers
are more attracted with such innovate and new design of the company logos. The use of trade
mark in context of business is more necessary in case of loading or transferring the goods from
one place to another and company spends on huge of their revenue in bringing the innovative and
creative trademark. Mainly the business leads to success on the bases of logos and the customer
deal with such products by reflecting the innovative logo deign.
Kolk, (2016) 6Criticise that sometimes company uses the similar trade mark in context of
other companies trade mark and change the simple design which reflect the interests of customer
towards the product. Customers confused to choose the right products and thus results in
bringing the more similarity of products. Also, companies spend huge of their saving in
differentiating or innovating their brand logos but if the company not retaining for longer term it
results in bringing losses and also affects their brand name in international business.
Theme 2: Rights and benefits regarding protection of Trademarks and copyrights of
companies in international market
4 Lord, Nicholas. Regulating corporate bribery in international business: Anti-corruption in the
UK and Germany. Routledge, 2016.
5 Sekaran, Uma, and Roger Bougie. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons, 2016..
6 Kolk, Ans. "The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the
environment to CSR and sustainable development." Journal of World Business 51, no. 1 (2016):
23-34.

Svantesson, (2016) 7Viewed that the benefits regarding the protection of trademark and
copyright in context of business is related to protecting the right of individual and person who
made innovation creative in their ideas and thoughts and are differed from the previous rights.
The right which they are carrying in such perceptive is related to not affecting the rights of any
other person and also the person which fulfilled for copyright and trade mark can enjoy their
right for longer term without any committing fraud. The benefits of copyright and trade mark is
that they enjoy there economic benefits and also they can carry forward their rights to another
person by filling application for cessation of such right or surrender their rights.
Boddewyn, (2016)8As per suggested that some right and benefits relating to trade mark
and copyright in respect of business are not useful to retain for longer term. As due to changes in
technology the demand and needs of the people are also changing thus, they again had to bring
change in their working and apply for such rights. This results in affecting their rights and their
benefits are also affected by applying the copyright for same products. In case of taking
trademark for such products and before apply for it considered to be already registered or not
such unique than these benefits resulting in influencing the hard work of the person and company
in wider way.
Theme 3: Challenges and consequences in case of infringement of trademark and copyright
Astrachan and et.al., (2018)9examined that infringement arises in case of any person use
the work of the originator without their permissions and earn profits in such case the
infringement of right arises. If they adapt for copyright their idea it also comes up with various
challenges and the originator had to faces and take precaution, so that it didn't affect their rights
and country in any ways. Competitors are in favour of infringement the techniques which brings
more business to them and also enhance their brand name in the market. In such case if there
7 Svantesson, Dan Jerker B. Private international law and the internet. Kluwer Law
International BV, 2016.
8 Boddewyn, Jean J. "International business–government relations research 1945–2015:
Concepts, typologies, theories and methodologies." Journal of World Business 51, no. 1 (2016):
10-22.
9 Astrachan, C. B. and et.al., 2018. Branding the family firm: A review, integrative framework
proposal, and research agenda. Journal of Family Business Strategy. 9(1). pp.3-15.

copyright idea are infringement it results in facing tough competition in the market and there are
more chances of using it for wrong purpose.
Seid, (2018) 10Criticised that the challenges and consequences are not resulting in favour
when such trademark and copyright are not registered under common law. The challenges are
occurs in case of bringing more new any innovative ideas in comparison to other business and
then earn more profits. But sometimes it results in affecting the right of another person also there
are more chances of confusing the customer through such products. In case of franchising they
allow other user to promote such products thus it results in using the duplicate products and
earning maximum profits.
5) Research Methodology
In this methodology, it includes the various plans and procedure which is adapted by the
researcher to carry their research work in the effective way. It includes the following methods.
Methods Types Justification
Research philosophy Positivism and Interpretivism In this research, it includes the
complete brief about the
research and also conduct a
vast expansion of their
research topic to gather the
appropriate data. In this
researcher will apply
Interpretivism method to carry
there research activity11. They
interpret the data collected and
also gather information from
the collected data.
Research approach Inductive and deductive In this method, it includes the
10 Seid, S. H., 2018. Global regulation of foreign direct investment. Routledge.
11 Miller, Angharad, and Lynne Oats. Principles of international taxation. Bloomsbury
Publishing, 2016.

proper plan and procedure to
collect the information from
the available sources12. Here
researcher will aptly inductive
type of research approach to
carry their research and gather
information from various
sources.
Research design Quantitative and Qualitative It includes the types of design
which resemble designed of
research in accurate way13. In
this, researcher will apply the
qualitative research, so that it
can gather as much
information and data from the
available sources.
Data collection Primary and Secondary In this method, data are
collected, measures and
validates to determine the
various techniques used to
gather information14. In this,
researcher will apply both
primary and secondary method
12 Schwartz, Mark S. Business ethics: an ethical decision-making approach. Vol. 10. John
Wiley & Sons, 2017.
13 Story, Alan. "Burn Berne: 1 Why the Leading International Copyright Convention must be
Repealed." In Copyright Law, pp. 3-41. Routledge, 2017.
14 Kuldova, Tereza. "Hells Angels™ Motorcycle Corporation in the Fashion Business:
Interrogating the Fetishism of the Trademark Law." Journal of Design History 30, no. 4 (2016):
389-407.

to collect the research. Primary
method is used to collect the
original information while
secondary method is used to
take information from other
author or use their data to
gather information.
Data analysis Thematic method After collecting information,
this method is used to critically
evaluate the facts and figure by
analysed it in accurate way15.
In this researcher will apply
thematic method to carry their
research work and by their
method they can get more
accurate results if they analyse
the information through theme
procedure. Thus, through this
method they gather
information, analyse various
facts and figure, cross-check
the available data and the
results in brining in conclusion
from such available data16.
15 Bennett, Colin J., and Charles D. Raab. The governance of privacy: Policy instruments in
global perspective. Routledge, 2017.
16 Pindado, Julio, and Ignacio Requejo. "Family business performance from a governance
perspective: A review of empirical research." International Journal of Management Reviews 17,
no. 3 (2015): 279-311.

There are more chances of
getting the accurate result and
also the research work is
useful for companies to take
effective decision-making.
Sampling Random Sampling method Sampling method is used by
the researcher in order to get
the accurate review from large
number of population17. In this
researcher will apply random
number of sampling to gather
the reviews from wider
population area. In this
research, researcher will gather
information from 20 managers
and raise various queries to
know the decision and
judgement regarding the
selected topic.
Ethical consideration In this method, it involves
various ethics and norms
which is to be carried by the
research at the time of
conducting the research. It
incudes the ethical behaviour
which is to be maintained by
the researcher at the time of
collecting data from any
17 Thomas, Jerry R., Jack K. Nelson, and Stephen J. Silverman. Research methods in physical
activity. Human kinetics, 2015.

restricted area18. They had to
take proper permission from
the property holder to gather
information from that area and
also not hurt any person
mentally and physically which
results in facing injuries to any
person. The research is
concluded to be appropriate if
they collected and gather
information originally and not
infringement any other data
when they are protected and
secured by law.
6) Structure
It determines the complete structure of the dissertation which incudes-
Chapter 1: Introduction - In this research structure, it provides the complete detail of that topics
and also the background which is related to the company and the topic which helps company to
take effective decision. Introduction is mainly designed to give an overview regarding the whole
research work and also various aim and objectives are also designed to justify the factors relating
to the topic which is selected. In this research question are prepared to justify the factors
regarding the trademark and copyright and also it affects the apple company in case they are not
protected.
Chapter 2: Literature review – In this chapter, it involves the complete detail about the topic and
also its benefits and drawback which is occurred at the time of gathering the information and
bring changes regarding the topic19. Thus, literature review regarding the suggestion and reviews
given by authors and writer regarding the topic which they selected and also it brings helpful for
18 Vandekerckhove, Wim. Whistleblowing and organizational social responsibility: A global
assessment. Routledge, 2016.

the company to improve their plan and procedures by viewing the decision from the authors. In
this the views of authors are presented either in favour of the topic and also some against the
topic but it determines the usefulness of the topic and gather as much information which helps in
decision-making.
Chapter 3: Research methodology – In this chapter, it determines the various method which is
used by researcher to carry their research activity. In this method it includes research philosophy,
research design, research approach, data collection, data analysis, sampling method and ethical
consideration which examines the overall procedure which is used by researcher to gather
information on the base of primary or secondary sources. Through this research methodology it
includes proper planning and procedure to gather data and information in systematic manner and
also various ethics are to be maintained in relation to disclosing information of the company.
Chapter 4: Data analysis- In this chapter data and information of manager are collected on the
bases of questionnaires. Through this method of questionnaire, the reviews are gathered and
examined on the factor of gathering the information through such judgement. The results through
data analyses and interpretation are considered to be more accurate and also the working of the
company can easily be identifies through such method20. In this the finding from data are to be
analysed on the bases of table and graphs and then it concluded with the interpretation regarding
the judgement with such graphs raised through the reviews given by the respondents.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation- In this chapter, it includes the complete summary
about the research projects and also it includes the brief description about various factors which
is used to gather information, collect data and analysed them in appropriate way to make the
research unique and valid. Before submitting the research, conclusion and recommendation are
to be systematic arranged as it is the important part of the research21. It carries various conclusion
which is helpful for the companies to take appropriate decision and change their polices and
19 Moritz, Alexandra, and Joern H. Block. "Crowdfunding: A literature review and research
directions." In Crowdfunding in Europe, pp. 25-53. Springer, Cham, 2016.
20 Taichman, Darren B., Joyce Backus, Christopher Baethge, Howard Bauchner, Peter W. De
Leeuw, Jeffrey M. Drazen, John Fletcher et al. "Sharing clinical trial data: a proposal from the
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors." Annals of internal medicine 164, no. 7
(2016): 505-506.

procedure in better way. With the accurate conclusions and recommendation it also results in
more retention of employee and to enhance their ideas and thought to bring more innovation in
the work places.
7) Research Timetable
Time plan is mainly prepared by researcher so that he can manage the time effective d
also avid confusion which is arises at the time of inspecting the material which is relevant to the
research activity22. Thus, this plan is specially made by researcher to determine the time, work
and efforts to gather and collect the data and information from various sources.
Activity 1th
Wee
k
2nd
Wee
k
3rd
Wee
k
4th
Wee
k
5th
Wee
k
6th
Wee
k
7th
Wee
k
8th
Wee
k
9th
Wee
k
10th
Week
11th
Week
Selected the
research
topic.
Further
literature
review is
conducted
Factors
relating to
conducting
21 Evans-Reeves, K. A., J. L. Hatchard, and A. B. Gilmore. "‘It will harm business and increase
illicit trade’: an evaluation of the relevance, quality and transparency of evidence submitted by
transnational tobacco companies to the UK consultation on standardised packaging
2012." Tobacco control 24, no. e2 (2015): e168-e177.
22 Gunningham, Neil, and Darren Sinclair. Leaders and laggards: next-generation
environmental regulation. Routledge, 2017.

the research
methodology
Research is
analysed in
appropriate
manner.
Once
research are
analysed,
questionnaire
are prepared
Data are
collect which
is relevant to
the topic.
Data and
information
are to be
analysed
through
thematic
form.
At last, data
are collected
and analysed
they are to be

rechecked
again and
rectify the
errors
Finally,
submit the
research
proposal with
all the
amended
changes.
8) Ethical approval
9) Supervisor Support
To make an innovative and unique research, the guidance of supervisor are important in
every aspect. At the time of taking judgement and decision regarding the topic which I selected,
supervisor guides and trained me how to start the research or what way to be used to collect
appropriate data and from where you can gather or collect the relevant data and information. In
this research work supervisor plays an important role and also with their guidance and patience
attitude towards my wider questionnaire list. He is calm and supporting and also guide me on
every path of research. The things I expect from my supervisor is guiding me in the right path
and also tell me the ethics to not harm any person at the time of conducting research work. If any
data is note relevant to my research. He tells me to use some different source which is not against
the government or country to gather information.
The same things my supervisor expect from me that I maintain the ethical behaviour at
the time of conducting the research and also respect the thought and ideas given by the
supervisor regarding conducting the research process. Supervisor expects that I present and
simplify the report timely to him so that he can make such changes if any in that report and also

guide my regarding the facts and figure which I collected is right or wrong. Also, the supervisor
needs that the data and information are collected on right manner and it didn't copy with any
other authors which resulting in causing losses to their efforts and it also results in cancellation
of their work. This not only affects my respect but also the personal interest of supervision and
their minute observation in my work is also gets affected.

10) Bibliography
Books and journals
Astrachan, C. B. and et.al., 2018. Branding the family firm: A review, integrative framework
proposal, and research agenda. Journal of Family Business Strategy. 9(1). pp.3-15.
Bennett, Colin J., and Charles D. Raab. The governance of privacy: Policy instruments in global
perspective. Routledge, 2017.
Bettig, Ronald V. Copyrighting culture: The political economy of intellectual property.
Routledge, 2018.
Boddewyn, Jean J. "International business–government relations research 1945–2015: Concepts,
typologies, theories and methodologies." Journal of World Business 51, no. 1 (2016): 10-22.
Drahos, Peter. A philosophy of intellectual property. Routledge, 2016.
Evans-Reeves, K. A., J. L. Hatchard, and A. B. Gilmore. "‘It will harm business and increase
illicit trade’: an evaluation of the relevance, quality and transparency of evidence submitted
by transnational tobacco companies to the UK consultation on standardised packaging
2012." Tobacco control 24, no. e2 (2015): e168-e177.
Gunningham, Neil, and Darren Sinclair. Leaders and laggards: next-generation environmental
regulation. Routledge, 2017.
Kolk, Ans. "The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the environment
to CSR and sustainable development." Journal of World Business 51, no. 1 (2016): 23-34.
Kuldova, Tereza. "Hells Angels™ Motorcycle Corporation in the Fashion Business:
Interrogating the Fetishism of the Trademark Law." Journal of Design History 30, no. 4
(2016): 389-407.
Lord, Nicholas. Regulating corporate bribery in international business: Anti-corruption in the
UK and Germany. Routledge, 2016.
Miller, Angharad, and Lynne Oats. Principles of international taxation. Bloomsbury Publishing,
2016.
Morcol, Goktug, Lorlene Hoyt, Jack W. Meek, and Ulf Zimmermann, eds. Business
improvement districts: Research, theories, and controversies. Routledge, 2017.

Moritz, Alexandra, and Joern H. Block. "Crowdfunding: A literature review and research
directions." In Crowdfunding in Europe, pp. 25-53. Springer, Cham, 2016.
Pindado, Julio, and Ignacio Requejo. "Family business performance from a governance
perspective: A review of empirical research." International Journal of Management
Reviews 17, no. 3 (2015): 279-311.
Schwartz, Mark S. Business ethics: an ethical decision-making approach. Vol. 10. John Wiley &
Sons, 2017.
Seid, S. H., 2018. Global regulation of foreign direct investment. Routledge.
Sekaran, Uma, and Roger Bougie. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons, 2016..
Story, Alan. "Burn Berne: 1 Why the Leading International Copyright Convention must be
Repealed." In Copyright Law, pp. 3-41. Routledge, 2017.
Svantesson, Dan Jerker B. Private international law and the internet. Kluwer Law International
BV, 2016.
Taichman, Darren B., Joyce Backus, Christopher Baethge, Howard Bauchner, Peter W. De
Leeuw, Jeffrey M. Drazen, John Fletcher et al. "Sharing clinical trial data: a proposal from the
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors." Annals of internal medicine 164, no. 7
(2016): 505-506.
Thomas, Jerry R., Jack K. Nelson, and Stephen J. Silverman. Research methods in physical
activity. Human kinetics, 2015.
Vandekerckhove, Wim. Whistleblowing and organizational social responsibility: A global
assessment. Routledge, 2016.
Online
Difference between Copyright and Trademark. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
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