Four Ways Ideas
Are Protected.
Intellectual property takes different forms. Patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets protect different kinds of innovation, creativity and business value.
WHAT IS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY?
Intellectual property, or IP, refers to creations of the mind, from inventions and creative works to brands and valuable business know-how.
Different types of IP rights protect different things. The four primary types are patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.
1
PATENTS
Protecting inventions
Patents protect new inventions and technological advances. In exchange for publicly disclosing how an invention works, a patent can provide the right to exclude others from making, using, selling or importing the patented invention for a limited period.
YOU'LL FIND PATENTS BEHIND:
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Smartphones
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Semiconductors
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Medicines
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Medical devices
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Manufacturing technologies
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Energy technologies
HOW LONG?
In the U.S., a utility patent generally has a term of up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to applicable rules and fees.
2
COPYRIGHT
Protecting creative expression
Copyright protects original works of authorship, including literature, music, film, visual art and software. Protection generally arises automatically when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form.
YOU'LL FIND COPYRIGHT IN:
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Music
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Movies
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Books
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Photography
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Artwork
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Software
3
TRADEMARKS
Protecting brands and identity
Trademarks help consumers identify the source of goods and services. They can include words, names, logos, symbols and other distinctive elements associated with a brand.
YOU'LL FIND TRADEMARKS IN:
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Company names
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Product names
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Logos
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Slogans
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Symbols
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Other brand identifiers
4
TRADE SECRETS
Protecting confidential know-how
Trade secrets protect valuable business information that is kept confidential. Unlike patents, trade secrets are not publicly disclosed and can potentially remain protected for as long as the information remains secret and the legal requirements for protection are met.
TRADE SECRETS CAN INCLUDE:
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Formulas
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Recipes
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Manufacturing processes
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Algorithms
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Methods
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Business strategies
