WHAT IT IS_

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What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property is comprised of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. All are protectable assets representing the end result of human creativity, such as an invention, expression, unique name, artistic work, formula or other creative embodiment.

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Patents

A patent gives its owner the right to preclude others from making, using, selling or offering to sell the protected invention for a period of time set by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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Trademarks

A trademark protect words, names, symbols, sounds, or colors that distinguish goods and services from others in the marketplace. Such trademark rights, with or without registration, allow the trademark owner to prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark without the owner's permission.

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Copyrights

A copyright protect works of authorship such as books, written and recorded music, video games, photographs and sculpture. A copyright holder can exclude others from publishing or copying his or her works without permission or license to do so.

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Trade Secrets

A trade secret protects private knowledge that gives its owner a competitive business advantage over competitors. Examples of trade secrets include manufacturing processes, client listings and formulas.