Patent, Copyright & Trademark

Intellectual Property Law consists of Patent Law (inventions), Copyright Law (creative works) and Trademark Law (brand recognition). Commonly abbreviated as "IP Law", it also covers the related fields of trade secret and Internet Law. Intellectual property is the process and the result from using one’s brain to think, create and invent something. The law only protects that which has a physical existence such as a book, movie, song or software application. The law protects only that which has a physical existence such as a book, movie, song or software application – but not a mere idea. Patent law governs new inventions and consists of utility patents (useful function) and design patents (unique appearance). Copyright law protects creative “works of authorship” such as books, photos, movies, software, music, video, visual art (paintings) and performance art (dance). Trademark law covers the exclusive right to use a trade name or service mark so that the public isn’t confused about which company is providing goods or services that uses a specific, recognizable brand.