Intellectual property
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Intellectual property law
Primary rights
Copyright
Patents
Trademarks
Industrial design rights
Utility models
Geographical indication
Trade secrets
Related rights
Trade names
Domain names
Sui generis rights
Database rights
Mask work
Plant breeders' rights
Supplementary protection certificate
Indigenous intellectual property
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For the 2006 film, see Intellectual Property (film).
Intellectual property (IP) is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind such as musical, literary, and artistic works; inventions; and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and related rights. Under intellectual property law, the holder of one of these abstract "properties" has certain exclusive rights to the creative work, commercial symbol, or invention which is covered by it.
The laws of some governments have recognized forms of intellectual property for a few centuries, but other governments have done so only recently, and some scholars question the legitimacy and philosophical basis of such laws. Several international treaties since the late 19th century have standardized many aspects of the law, but the laws and enforcement still vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. Furthermore, the understanding and observance of intellectual property laws by individuals are also widely varied.
