ISO 16016, “Technical product documentation – Protection notices for restricting the use of documents and products,” has just been updated. The 2nd Edition released this month is now available from Document Center Inc. in a number of formats. It covers various symbols and language you can use to protect the IP that is imbedded in your technical product documentation and other documents.
Of course, your documentation can often contain specific details of your products that are proprietary. This is why company standards are rarely publicly available. Even so, you’ll forward these specs and other information to your suppliers with regularity. How do you communicate the fact that the information contained in your documentation is “confidential?”
ISO 16016, 2nd Edition, covers the spectrum of tools you can include in the text of your material. These tools include symbols for trademark, copyright, protected topography (semiconductors), patents and design. But the standard also includes specific wording you can use to additionally alert people to the responsibilities required when using your documentation. This is provided in a simple one-paragraph statement, concise and to-the-point. Not only that, but the text of this protection notice has been translated into 15 additional languages in Annex A.
In today’s global environment, educating your vendors on the correct handling of your documentation is essential. This means spelling out in writing (at the very least) the need for careful handling of your proprietary information by prohibiting reproduction, distribution and utilization of your IP. This standard will help you set up guidelines on the usage of both symbols and disclaimers for your documentation authors to include in all your sensitive publications.
How do you get your copy? Use an authorized distributor like Document Center Inc. We’ve been selling ISO standards under contract since the early 1990’s. So you can search for and order them at our webstore, www.document-center.com. Here’s a direct link to the order page for ISO 16016.
Of course, you may have additional questions or need company-wide access to this and other standards. Get in touch with our staff by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com) to learn more about Standards Online multi-user access and our other compliance services. We’re here to help you so make us your Standards Experts!