IP Rights

Intellectual property can take many forms. Although it's an intangible asset, intellectual property can be far more valuable than a company's physical assets. Intellectual property can represent a competitive advantage and as a result, is guarded and protected by the companies that own the property.

Besides Patents, Trademarks and Copyright there is:

• Domain name
• Trade name
• Database Rights
• Industrial Designs
• Geographical Indications
• Semi-conductor products
• Trade secrets
• ISBN

 

There are different types of intellectual property rights, and other rights that are very similar, that can be harnessed to protect your tangible work. Some rights arise automatically. For other rights, you must first register to secure them. Different conditions apply to be eligible for different rights.

	What is protected?	Which rights are conferred?	Example
Copyright (arises automatically)	Original works	Right to publish Right to reproduce Personality rights	Book, software, painting, creative content website (articles, animations, photographs)
Domain Name (arises automatically)	IP address (a unique number), which is an actual physical point on the Internet.	Right of use of the domain name	Website (www.bip.sx)
Trade name right  (established by being first to use)	Name under which a company trades	Right of use in a specific area	Company name
Trademark right (established by registration)	Distinctive sign	Monopoly on use Right to prohibit use by others	Logo
Plant Breeders' right (established by registration)	Crops and plant varieties	Right to cultivate and trade cultivated materials	Habanero pepper
Semi-conductor protection right (arises automatically)	Topographies of semiconductor products	Right to reproduce Right to exploit	(memory) chips or microprocessors
Patent right (established by registration)	A technical product or process	Right to exploit	lightbulb, medicine
Geographical Indications (GI's) (established by registration)	Goods or products from a specific region or location of a country	Protection against unauthorized use and practices that may mislead consumers.	Champagne, Swiss Cheese
Trade Secret (arises automatically)	confidential information which may be sold or licensed.	Protection against third parties who misuse or exploit your trade secrets	Coca-Cola recipe
Industrial design rights (established by registration)	Design or aesthetic aspect of a product	Monopoly on use Right to prohibit use by others	Furniture, Packaging