What is Intellectual Property

What is intellectual property? Intellectual property, also sometimes referred to as IP, is essentially creations of the mind. These creations can be either artistic or commercial and fall into one of two intellectual property categories: industrial or copyright. Commercial creations are typically considered industrial property and include things such as patents and trademarks. Artistic creations fall under the copyright category and include literary works, musical works, artistic works, and architectural designs. The main purpose of intellectual property is to give the creator certain rights over his or her creation. Other purposes of intellectual property include promoting creativity, incorporation of ideas into tangible objects or results, encouraging fair trade, and furthering creative contributions to social and economic development.

Inventions that provide fresh solutions to existing technical problems fall into the category of industrial property. These solutions can simply be ideas that have not yet been tangibly produced. Inventors may protect his or her idea by obtaining a patent. By doing so the inventor obtains exclusive rights to make, use, or sell his or her invention. Copyright protects forms of expression and prevents others from using these expressions without the authorization of the creator. "Forms of expression" can be defined as the way in which the creative work's words, notes, colors, or shapes are arranged. In other words, forms of expression are an original creation of the author. Even translations and adaptations are protected by copyright.

What is intellectual property? Books, lectures, photographic works, cinematographic works, maps, anthologies, inventions, scientific discoveries, commercial names, industrial designs, and trademarks are all examples of intellectual property. Protecting intellectual property is important, and inventors should make sure that they take the appropriate steps to protect their innovative ideas or original works of art. Intellectual property law attorneys can provide assistance to those seeking to obtain a patent or copyright for their creations. If creators fail to secure industrial property rights or copyright protection his or her idea or invention remains unprotected and can be legally infringed upon by others. Intellectual property law attorneys will provide expert legal guidance and counsel and ensure that the creator obtains the intellectual property protection they need.

Last Modified: 10 February 2011

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