Intellectual Property Overview

Intellectual Property, often referred to as “IP”, refers generally to “intangible” creations of the mind, including items such as inventions and industrial designs (patent); literary and artistic works (copyright); symbols, names and images used in commerce (trademarks), and trade secrets.  IP rights are protected under Federal  law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which recognizes people’s rights to the financial benefits that stem from what they invent or create thereby encouraging innovation and creativity.