Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property consists of intangible creations of the mind such as inventions, writing and artwork, symbols, names, images, and designs used in commercial enterprise. It is made valuable because the owner of the intellectual property has sole access to the information and therefore the ability to profit from it. Intellectual property rights are protected from unauthorized distribution and reproduction through copyrights, patents and trademarks.

Intellectual property in the form of expression, such as a written document, is protected by copyright, but ideas can only be protected by trade secret laws and confidentiality agreements. Such documents must spell out a contractual remedy in the case of misuse or disclosure of the ideas. Processes, methods and inventions can be protected through patents only if they are novel, non-obvious and useful. Trademarks are used to protect names, words or symbols that represent and distinguish one product from another.

Trade secrets differ from other forms of intellectual property in that they cannot be protected under copyrights, patents or trademarks. Keeping these ideas secret is the best way to protect them.

To learn more about intellectual property rights or if you feel your rights have been infringed, please contact us to speak to a qualified intellectual property lawyer today. We can evaluate your case free of charge and help you understand your legal rights.