How to Legally Protect Your Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is property that may not be tangible in the normal sense of the word. It could be the dream or the thought of an idea that could be developed into something and you can claim your own. Intellectual property could be the written word, music or a recipe. As an owner of intellectual property, you should know your rights and how to protect these forms of property from unauthorized use.

Ways to Protect Intellectual Property

Typically, there are four ways to protect intellectual property. You should explore all four concepts and decide which is ideal for you and your situation.

• Patents. Patents are enforced for up to 20 years. Patents can be one of three types: Utility patents that protect processes and compositions of matter; design patents protect the use of new and ornamental design for articles of manufacturing; plant patents involve the protection of botanical designs such as hybrid or new breeds of plants.


• Trademarks. Trademarks protect words, symbols, sounds or names that distinguish a brand of goods or service. Trademarks can be renewed for as long as the owner wishes to have their product covered.


• Copyright. This form of protection covers authorship works. This will cover creations such as writings, music and art. Copyrights are registered with the Library of Congress and last for the lifetime of the author with an additional 50 years after the author’s death.


• Trade Secrets. Trade secrets include information that typically a company or entity wishes to keep secret from others who might utilize and prophet from the information. Trade secrets might include information that affords the author company an advantage over their competitor. This could involve recipes or other valuable information specific to the company and its business.