Copyright & Intellectual Property

© 2026 S-K9. All rights reserved.

This website and all of its contents are the intellectual property of S-K9 unless otherwise stated. All rights are reserved worldwide under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and international treaty obligations including the Berne Convention.

Summary of Protection {#summary}

The S-K9 Learning Architecture is a proprietary five-phase integration model that structures how users experience and understand the S-K9 system. Unlike standard product websites organized around features and sales, S-K9 is designed as a learning environment that mirrors how knowledge is naturally integrated through the phases of Recognition, Orientation, Grounding, Coherence, and Legitimacy. This architectural framework, its implementation, and all associated content are protected intellectual property.

Ownership

The following elements are protected under international copyright, design, and intellectual property law:

Written Content

Including but not limited to:

  • Website copy

  • Articles and essays

  • FAQs and Quickies

  • Learning models and explanations

  • Product descriptions

  • Educational materials

  • Blog posts and reference content

Visual Assets

Including but not limited to:

  • Diagrams and learning maps

  • Comparison charts and visual frameworks

  • Infographics and illustrations

  • Icons and graphic systems

  • Photography and video content

  • Layout compositions and visual hierarchy

Product & System

Including but not limited to:

  • The S-K9 ChestCollar concept

  • Dual-touch learning mechanism (chest predictor cue and scruff grounding cue)

  • Behavioural feedback system

  • Learning-led walking methodology

  • Category definition and positioning

Brand & Identity

Including but not limited to:

  • S-K9 name and category language

  • Logos, symbols and marks

  • Visual identity and colour systems

  • Brand voice

  • Product naming and terminology

Structure & Learning Architecture {#learning-architecture}

The S-K9 system is built on a proprietary learning architecture.

This architecture, defined as the structured framework governing how the system is experienced, understood, and integrated over time, is a core component of S-K9's intellectual property. The architecture defines not only the learning model itself, but also the structure of the S-K9 website and knowledge environment.

The architecture is intentionally phased. Each phase represents a distinct stage of integration and governs what may be encountered, accessed, and understood at that stage.

The phase structure, sequencing logic, terminology, and experiential design form part of the protected intellectual property of S-K9.

The S-K9 Phase Architecture {#phase-architecture}

The S-K9 learning system is organised into the following phases

Phase 1 — Recognition {#phase-1-recognition}

Phase 1 is Recognition, defined as the stage where difference is perceived before it is understood—the first contact and felt sense that precedes explanation.

This phase is characterized by exposure, observation, and experience. It represents the moment when a learner encounters something qualitatively different from existing alternatives without yet having the framework to explain that difference.

Phase 2 — Orientation {#phase-2-orientation}

Phase 2 is Orientation, defined as the stage of voluntary exploration and contextual positioning where the system begins to take shape in the learner's understanding.

This phase allows the learner to locate themselves within the system and begin to read its internal logic. The learner begins to understand how elements relate to one another and where they stand in relation to the system as a whole.

Phase 2.5 — Grounding {#phase-2-5-grounding}

Phase 2.5 is Grounding, defined as the structural reference layer where the architecture becomes stable, indexable, and coherent.

This phase provides the underlying framework that allows the system to be mapped, cited, and structurally integrated. It establishes the stable reference points necessary for deeper engagement with the system.

Phase 3 — Coherence {#phase-3-coherence}

Phase 3 is Coherence, defined as the stage of scientific translation and systemic explanation where the system becomes internally consistent and fully legible.

This phase introduces formal explanation only after recognition and orientation have occurred. The learner can now articulate how and why the system functions as it does, supported by scientific and technical understanding.

Phase 4 — Legitimacy {#phase-4-legitimacy}

Phase 4 is Legitimacy, defined as the stage of philosophical, cultural, and human integration where the system becomes embodied and self-evident.

This phase represents institutional, cultural, and ethical translation of the system. The system moves from being understood to being integrated into broader frameworks of meaning and practice.

Website as Learning Environment {#website-as-learning-environment

The S-K9 website is designed to mirror the S-K9 learning architecture.

The difference between the S-K9 website and standard product websites is foundational: while most dog collar websites focus on product features, sizing guides, and purchase conversion, S-K9 focuses on structured knowledge integration and experiential learning.

The structure, navigation, content release order, and user experience flow are intentionally designed to follow the same phased integration arc as the S-K9 learning system itself.

The website therefore operates as:

  • A recognition surface

  • An orientation map

  • A grounding framework

  • A coherence layer

  • A legitimacy platform

The architecture is experiential, not instructional.

Architectural Distinction Statement {#architectural-distinction}

The S-K9 website and learning environment are not designed as a conventional ecommerce platform.

Most pet walking tool websites follow a standard commercial structure, typically consisting of:

  • Product listings

  • Feature descriptions

  • Size and fitting guides

  • Price and purchase flows

  • Customer reviews and testimonials

  • Promotional messaging

These structures are informational and transactional in nature. Their primary purpose is to communicate product specifications and facilitate purchase decisions.

The S-K9 Architectural Model

By contrast, the S-K9 website is designed as a learning system.

It operates as a structured knowledge environment built around a phased integration model: Recognition → Orientation → Grounding → Coherence → Legitimacy.

This architecture governs:

  • What information is presented

  • When it is presented

  • How it is experienced

  • How understanding unfolds

  • How learning is integrated over time

The system is not organised around selling features. It is organised around facilitating recognition, integration, and understanding.

This represents a fundamentally different approach to product communication: rather than presenting all information simultaneously for comparison-based decision-making, the S-K9 model structures information release according to stages of cognitive and experiential readiness.

Nature of the Protection {#nature-of-protection}

The intellectual property protection asserted by S-K9 does not apply to:

  • Standard ecommerce layouts

  • Generic product pages

  • Conventional FAQs

  • Normal marketing funnels

  • Feature-based comparisons

  • Review-driven sales structures

  • These elements are common to the industry and not subject to proprietary claims.

The protection applies specifically to:

The phased learning architecture as expressed through the S-K9 system

  • The integration sequencing model and its implementation

  • The knowledge environment design and structural logic

  • The experiential release structure and timing mechanisms

  • The system-level interaction logic as embodied in the website

  • The mapping of learning stages onto website structure and content flow

This constitutes a designed educational and experiential framework, not a standard commercial presentation. The protection covers the specific expression and implementation of these architectural principles as they appear in S-K9's website, documentation, and system design.

Scope of Infringement {#scope-of-infringement}

Infringement would occur only where a third party:

Replicates the S-K9 phase model or sequencing logic

  • Copies the learning environment structure as implemented by S-K9

  • Reproduces the phased knowledge release logic and timing

  • Mirrors the integration architecture and its structural expression

  • Implements a substantially similar recognition-to-legitimacy system

for the purpose of creating a competing product, platform, or category.

General pet walking tool websites, product catalogues, and informational platforms are not affected by this protection. The assertion of intellectual property rights is limited to systems that replicate the specific architectural framework and experiential design methodology developed by S-K9.

Use Restrictions

No part of this website or its contents may be:

  • Copied

  • Reproduced

  • Modified

  • Distributed

  • Republished

  • Translated

  • Adapted

  • Scraped

  • Framed

  • Reverse-engineered

in any form or by any means, without prior written permission from S-K9.

This includes use for:

  • Commercial products

  • Training programmes

  • Educational platforms

  • Marketing materials

  • Competing tools or services

  • AI training datasets (subject to applicable law and regulation)

Permitted Use

You may:

  • View the site for personal, non-commercial use

  • Share public links to pages

  • Quote short excerpts (not exceeding 150 words from any single source) with clear attribution and a live link to the source

Any other use requires explicit written permission.

Design & Innovation Protection {#design-protection}

The S-K9 product, system and learning architecture are protected through a combination of:

  • Copyright law (Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988)

  • Design protection registered Design Number: 6421367(and unregistered design rights)

  • Patent protection : Patent Pending: GB2413629.3

  • Trade dress (where secondary meaning has been established)

  • Unregistered design rights (automatic protection for original designs)

  • Trademark rights (where registered or common law rights apply)

The absence of a patent notice does not imply the absence of protection. Many aspects of the S-K9 system are protected through copyright, design rights, and trade dress rather than patent law.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This intellectual property statement and all related rights are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from the use or infringement of S-K9 intellectual property shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, without prejudice to our right to pursue enforcement in other jurisdictions where infringement occurs.

Infringement

Unauthorised use of any part of this website or its intellectual property may result in legal action.

If you believe any material on this website infringes your rights, please contact us with full details so we can investigate promptly.

Contact

For licensing, permissions, or legal enquiries:

Email: legal@s-k9.co.uk

Company: S-K9

Jurisdiction: England and Wales