Introduction to Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property rights relates to the areas of patent, copyright, trademark and business, and certain aspects of other parts of the law, such as licensing and unfair competition.
Intellectual Property Rights protects the works of the human creativity. Patent law protects inventions and discoveries, for example, new products and processes. Copyright protects the works of the author, for example, music, games, maps, and literary works, including computer programs.
Trademark Law protects trademarks and other marks, the source of goods and services. Trade Secret Law protects any confidential business information. The law allows the holders of licenses for patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets to share with others on the basis of reciprocity.
The different focus areas of intellectual property law are frequently interlinked, and quite often there is a large amount of overlap. As an example, a new method for treating viruses in animals could be protected as a secret before patenting. To give another example, copyright and patent law are applied in inventions relating to software.
Intellectual Property Solicitors
Intellectual property solicitors (also known as intellectual property lawyers) combine their skills with other competencies in technology, economics and art.
Intellectual property solicitors are varied in that:
- they are writers, for example, they write the patent applications and licensing agreements and legal documents that lawyers from other project
- they provide consulting, for example, their opinions, advising whether a particular piece of intellectual property can be patented, copyright or a registered trademark, and that the best form of protection that it should have.
- Similarly, they can provide advice on infringements relating to patents, trademarks or copyrights.
- Patent solicitors frequently are scientists or engineers with technical training that helps them understand that an invention is truly unique
The practice of intellectual property law is a profession based on the people. The lawyer works with a variety of clients, from the owners of small businesses to large multi-national organizations.
For many businesses, obtaining intellectual property protection is an essential part of coming up with a new product.