What are the different types of intellectual property?

Intellectual property (IP) is any form of original creation that can be legally owned or licensed. In California, all forms of IP are protected under federal, state, and common law. The four main categories of intellectual property are copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. Copyrights protect original works of authorship, such as books, manuscripts, music and lyrics, poetry, film, graphic design, and other artistic works. Under copyrights, the creators of these works can reap the benefits from the use and sale of their works. Trademarks protect words, phrases, symbols, sounds, and design elements that distinguish the products and services of one company from those of another. They inspire consumer loyalty by ensuring that the public knows where a particular product or service originated. Patents cover inventions, processes, machines, and articles of manufacture. Without patents, inventors might not have the incentive to innovate since someone could simply copy the invention and cut into the original inventor’s profits. Finally, trade secrets are confidential business information that is kept out of the public domain. Companies have both legal and practical incentives to keep their proprietary information out of their competitors’ hands. Most forms of intellectual property are federally protected, but California has its own laws that offer additional protection. Knowing the different types of IP and how they are protected is vital for those who create and profit from their original works.

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What are the different types of intellectual property?

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