Copyrights can protect manuscripts, novels, song lyrics, paintings, photographs, sound recordings, and more.Ī copyright exists the moment the author creates the original work, but registration provides copyright owners with exclusive and enhanced rights. These creative works are the tangible representation of the creator's original ideas, since ideas themselves can't be protected. CopyrightsĬopyrights protect written and artistic works for the lifetime of the creator, plus 70 years.

Example: Someone who writes and markets new computer programs may need to copyright and patent the code and algorithms, as well as register a trademark for marketing them.ĭeciding on intellectual property protection takes careful consideration, so an intellectual property attorney can ease your mind and help make sure your property is fully protected.

This can be especially true in highly technical areas like industrial design or computer algorithms.

What are the 4 types of intellectual property protections?Ĭopyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets are the four primary types of intellectual property protection.ĭetermining the best way to protect intellectual property can be complex. View the infographic below for a helpful summary of intellectual property protection and tips on guarding your creative ideas:

How to fight theft of intellectual property.

The basics of intellectual property enforcement.

4 tips to protect intellectual property.

4 different intellectual property rights.

To help you learn more about IP protection and its various forms, this article will cover: If your creation has economic value, you will want to learn how to protect your intellectual property (IP) against any party that may try to use it for themselves.Įxactly how to protect intellectual property depends upon the nature of the intellectual property. Intellectual property rights are the ownership rights you have over things that you create as a result of your original ideas.

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