Types of Lawsuits: Intellectual Property

What is intellectual property? Any product of the intellect that is the possession of an organization or individual is considered intellectual property. Almost everywhere you look, you will see intellectual property. For example, you can find intellectual property in a brand name, the design of a bottle, books, software, cars, greeting cards, and drugs. Trademarks, patents, and copyright protect intellectual property.

Copyright gives the author of original work exclusive rights of that intellectual property for a limited amount of time. Copyright allows the author to benefit from his/her work and must be renewed periodically. Another form of intellectual property protection known as trademark, is used for distinctive features that distinguish one product from another, such as brands, symbols, colors, smells, names, signs, sounds and shapes. A patent gives the inventor of a new work or product a set period of time in which he/she may prevent others from making, selling, or using the invention without authorization. In exchange for this protection, however, the inventor discloses the details of the invention in a public document know as a patent document. All of these methods of intellectual property protection may be sold or licensed to another person by the intellectual property holder.

Intellectual property laws benefit the creator and society by helping to maintain fair competition, encouraging a wide range of services and products, and rewarding innovation and creativity. Any violation of trademark, copyright, or patent laws may constitute the grounds for an intellectual property lawsuit.

Please see our page at intellectualproperty.slclaw.com for further information.

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