\ufffd How it operates,\ufffdthe materials used, etc. etc, right down to 'micro-metre' mechanical movements etc. etc.\ufffdmust be included in patents to separate all similar items from what they are and what they are not.\ufffdThis is why it takes years to file\ufffdand receive them .
Of course, there are the odd exceptions. Laurens Hammond managed to get a patent for the organ that bears his name in a matter of days.
For example George Lucas can modify 'Star Wars' all he wants but it hasn't been\ufffdthe 'original\ufffd' movie\ufffdsince 1981 when he added 'Episode IV" to the title which was not included in the original screening..\ufffdSo because of that he would have to file multiple patents and copyrights each time he changes it.
Not so. You cannot patent any artistic work at all, for any reason.\ufffd Patent can only be applied to novel concepts, processes or inventions capable of industrial application.\ufffd Of the numerous things excluded from being patented, one is 'artistic works'. (Interestingly, another is computer software). In that case, copyright applies. You need not apply for copyright, merely assert it as your own.\ufffd So George Lucas can make as many changes as he likes to the film - it's still his under any jurisdiction in the world.
In the specific case of the Mellotron, the name is a trade mark applied to a patented invention.\ufffd Since Streetly don't own the name any more they cannot call their product a Mellotron any more than I could build a PC and put the name 'Dell' on it.
Mike