Which IPR is appropriate to my invention/idea? The right answer depends on the nature of the idea/invention itself. Is it suitable for a patent? Novelty is a must. "Novel" means the invention was never described in a patent, published patent application or other publication, and never in public use or on sale, by others before you filed your application. An alternative to the patent is the utility model, which is not proved by the patent office but from legal perspective, which is not as safe as patent office approval. Further the monetary resources to file and protect the own IPR must be available. It makes no sense to file a patent in China if you don't export to China and you won't be able to pay the court proceedings. Further you can prove if copyright suites your invention. In consumer products it makes more sense to protect their design and the brand name (trademark).