Intellectual Property

What is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property is a group of legal rights protecting artistic and commercial creations of the mind. These rights grant creators exclusive rights to the sale, copying, and distribution of their creations. These rights are meant to encourage the sharing and spread of information.

Intellectual property rights are limited to "non-rival" goods - things which can by enjoyed simultaneously by multiple people.

Intellectual property includes:

Copyrights

protects the rights of music, literature, artist works, dramatic works, and software

Patents

protects inventions and innovations

Trademarks

protects registered logos, signs, and symbols of companies, services, individuals

Trade Secrets

protects the methods, processes, formulas, techniques, and patterns of a business from their competitors, and are regulated by state law.

Intellectual Property Law

The concept of Intellectual property began in 1967 with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) but didn't become popular until 1980. Intellectual property laws differ from country to county, but the WIPO works on international agreements to promote economic growth.

Intellectual Property Attorneys

Enforced under civil law, intellectual property cases are generally infringement based with monetary damages sought. The complexity of international, federal, and state laws involved in intellectual property cases mean that you need a lawyer specializing in intellectual property law.

An intellectual property attorney works with you to protect your creation and your rights. If you feel your intellectual property has been infringed on, contact an intellectual property lawyer immediately.

Trademark Term of the Day

Trademark Attorney

A trademark attorney is an attorney who specializes in trademark law and matters related to trademark registration.

Category: Trademarks

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