What is Intellectual Property Law?

Intellectual property refers to the expressions of creativity such as naming of goods and services in interstate commerce, inventive concepts, art and designs. Individual legal rights to protection of this creativity can be found in patent, trademark and copyright law.

An intellectual property law attorney can help explain the differences and similarities among these three areas of intellectual property law.

Patent law grants a property right to an inventor. A design patent protects the ornamental design of a product while a utility patent protects the functionality of a process or produce. A plant patent covers a new variety of living plant. Copyright law protects a creator’s rights to their literary and artistic work. A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks date back to ancient times when craftsmen used to put their signature or “mark” on their products.