Intellectual Property

What is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property (IP) refers to a legal entitlement of property which is usually expressed in the form of an idea or other intangible matter. This legal entitlement generally guaruntees its owner exclusive rights of use in relation to the subject matter of the IP. The term intellectual property reflects the idea that this subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect, and that IP rights may be protected at law in the same way as any other form of property.

Intellectual property laws are territorial. The registration or enforcement of IP rights must be pursued separately in each jurisdiction of interest. However, these laws are becoming increasingly harmonised through the effects of international treaties such as the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, while other treaties may facilitate registration in more than one jurisdiction at a time.

Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, Industrial Designs and Integrated Cuircut Topographies are all governed under the umbrella or Intellectual Property.

Follow the links below to learn more about each right:

Copyrights
Rights protecting literary, artistic, dramatic or musical works (including computer programs), and other subject-matter known as: performance, sound recording and communication signal.

Trademarks
Rights protecting a word, symbol or design (or any combination of these features), used to distinguish the wares and services of one person or organization from those of others in the marketplace.

Patents
Rights excluding others from making, using or selling an invention.

Industrial Designs
Rights protecting the visual features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornament (or any combination of these features), applied to a finished article of manufacture.

Integrated Cuircut Topographies
Rights protecting the three-dimensional configuration of the electronic circuits embodied in integrated circuit products or layout designs.

Trade Secrets
Information about a product or process kept secret from competitors.

Regulating Organizations

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

Intellectual Property Institute of Canada

World Intellectual Property Office