Patent,
Copyright &
Trademark
Bionic Reading® is a reading method developed by the Swiss typographic designer Renato Casutt in Chur, Switzerland. It guides the eye through text using artificial fixation points.
The intellectual property of the Bionic Reading® method is protected by patent rights, copyrights, and trademark rights. BRCG Casutt GmbH, Masanserstrasse 194, CH-7000 Chur, Switzerland, is the exclusive rights holder of Bionic Reading®. Bionic Reading AG, at the same address, is an authorized partner of BRCG Casutt GmbH and develops, distributes and commercializes the Bionic Reading® products.
Bionic Reading® is a proper name, not a generic term. The correct spelling is always “Bionic Reading®” — capitalised and with the registered trademark symbol. It is not a verb and not a category of software.
Only products licensed by Bionic Reading AG may use Bionic Reading®. The only official source of Bionic Reading® products is bionic-reading.com.
Authorized to represent:
Bionic Reading AG
Renato Casutt
Masanserstrasse 194
CH-7000 Chur
Switzerland
Supreme Court
Well, as a Supreme Court Justice once said, “‘I’ll know it when I see it’. And we think that you will also know it when you cross it.”
Copyright in the visual expression of Bionic Reading®
Our copyright is not limited to source code.
Bionic Reading® holds copyright in the original visual expression of its reading presentation. This expression consists of the selective emphasis of the opening letters of each word, the resulting rhythmic pattern of bold and regular type across the line, and the overall composition of the reading page that results from it.
This expression is what the reader sees. It is independent of the code, the programming language, the file format and the platform used to produce it. A reading presentation that reproduces this expression reproduces our work — whether it was generated by our software, by a font, by a plug-in, or by an entirely separate implementation.
If a text is displayed so that it looks like Bionic Reading®, this falls within the scope of our copyright, regardless of the product name under which it is offered. A different product name alone does not resolve such an infringement.
Bionic Reading AG pursues infringements of the Bionic Reading® rights systematically and reserves all legal remedies.
WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
Intellectual property of Bionic Reading®
The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) is a special agreement under the Berne Convention which deals with the protection of works and the rights of their authors in the digital environment. In addition to the rights recognized by the Berne Convention, they are granted certain economic rights. The Treaty also deals with two subject matters to be protected by copyright: (i) computer programs, whatever the mode or form of their expression; and (ii) compilations of data or other material (“databases”).
About WIPO Copyright
About Summary of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
International Patent registered
France (FR)
Patent number: FR 3 052 587 B1 — granted, published 4 June 2021, Bulletin 21/22
Application number: FR 17 55215 — filed 12 June 2017
Title: Système et méthode de lecture rapide
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization
WIPO international registrations: 1357135 and 1684673
International Trademark registered
United States of America (USA)
Registered trademark number: 5557651
Canada (CA)
Registered trademark number: TMA1362735
Japan (JPN)
Registered trademark number: 1684673
European Union (EU)
Registered trademark number: 015969488
United Kingdom (UK)
Registered trademark number: UK00915969488
Australia (AU)
Registered trademark number: 2302292
New Zealand (NZ)
Registered trademark number: 1219946
Switzerland (CH)
Registered trademark number: 707270
Principality of Liechtenstein (FL)
Registered trademark number: 1357135
What is Bionic Reading®?
Bionic Reading® is a reading method that guides the eye through text using artificial fixation points. It emphasises the first letters of each word, so the eye moves from one fixation point to the next while the brain completes the rest. It was developed by the Swiss typographic designer Renato Casutt in Chur, Switzerland.
Who invented Bionic Reading®?
Bionic Reading® was invented in 2009 by Renato Casutt, a Swiss typographic designer based in Chur, Switzerland. He is named as the inventor on the French patent FR 3 052 587 and as the original holder of the Bionic Reading® trademarks.
Who owns the rights to Bionic Reading®?
BRCG Casutt GmbH, Masanserstrasse 194, CH-7000 Chur, Switzerland, is the exclusive rights holder of Bionic Reading®. Bionic Reading AG, at the same address, is an authorized partner of BRCG Casutt GmbH and develops, distributes and commercializes the Bionic Reading® products.
Is Bionic Reading® legally protected?
Yes. The intellectual property of the Bionic Reading® method is protected by patent rights, copyrights and trademark rights. The method is covered by the granted French patent FR 3 052 587. The name Bionic Reading® is a registered trademark in Switzerland, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Liechtenstein, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.
How do I recognise the original Bionic Reading®?
Original Bionic Reading® products are published by Bionic Reading AG and are available through bionic-reading.com and the official app stores. Bionic Reading® is a proper name, always written with capital letters and the registered trademark symbol. Tools that imitate the method without a licence are not Bionic Reading® and are not authorized to use the name.
Where can I license Bionic Reading®?
The licence models are listed at bionic-reading.com.
Does the copyright only cover the software?
No. Our copyright covers the original visual expression of the Bionic Reading® reading presentation: the selective emphasis of the opening letters of each word, the resulting pattern of bold and regular type, and the overall composition of the reading page. This is independent of the code or the technology used. If a text is displayed so that it looks like Bionic Reading®, this falls within the scope of our copyright, regardless of the product name under which it is offered.
The intellectual property of the Bionic Reading® method is protected by patent rights, copyrights, and trademark rights.
We realize that not everyone intentionally violates the rights of Bionic Reading®. However, it is important for us to point out that our reading system “Bionic Reading®” is protected by international law. We thank you for your attention.