Intellectual Property

What is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual Property is an asset that is created with an original idea. It includes creations of the mind like music, software code, literature, artistic works, inventions, symbols, images, names, and designs.

For some products, trademark, copyright, and patent applications can be made for the owner of the recognition who receives a cash return. A person or an organization that replicates the intellectual property of others and uses it without their consent may be charged with a crime.

Types of Intellectual Property

• Patent

A patent is a property right that is given by a government agency to the investor. The invention, which can be a design, improvement, process, or a physical invention like a machine, the patent gives exclusive rights to the invention. Software and technology companies have patents for their designs.

• Trademarks

A trademark is a recognizable symbol, phrase, or design that designates a product and legally distinguishes it from competing goods. When a corporation is granted exclusive use of a trademark, no other party may use or copy the trademark. A trademark is frequently linked to the company’s brand.

• Digital Assets

Increasingly recognized as IP are digital assets. These would include online digital content and proprietary software code or algorithms.

• Franchises

An entrepreneur or small business owner who owns and manages a franchise or store is known as a franchisee. The franchisee can use a license to sell goods or render services in the business’s name. Franchisees trade start-up fees and monthly license fees with the franchisor. Food industry businesses adopt the franchising business model. The franchise business concepts used by McDonald’s, Subway, and H&R Block are a few examples.

• Trade Secrets

A trade secret is a method or procedure employed by a business that is not generally publicized and that provides the business or the trade secret holder with a financial benefit or advantage. Trade secrets need to be properly protected because they are typically the outcome of research and development at a company.

A design, pattern, recipe, formula, or proprietary procedure are examples of trade secrets. Trade secrets are used to create a business plan that sets the company’s goods apart from those of its customers and gives it a competitive edge.

Also, See: Business Process Outsourcing