You may have heard the phrase “intellectual property,” but do you know what it really means? This concept is an important part of entertainment law. Here are a few facts to know about intellectual property.
What is Intellectual Property?
Intellectual property or IP isn’t a physical object that you can see or touch. Simply put, intellectual property is a type of property that contains ideas. Items that fall under the category of intellectual property are product designs, symbols, graphic designs, phrases, trade secrets, music, choreography, books, artistic works, computer programs, video games, movies, TV shows, artwork and more. These items may be protected by copyrights, patents and trademarks. Copyrights protect works that are authored by a creator, like books and music. Patents safeguard inventions and product designs. Trademark law defends symbols or designs that are recognizable, such as the logos of famous brands.
Who Benefits From Intellectual Property Laws?
Creators are the ones who benefit most from intellectual property laws, whether they are individuals or companies. Entertainment lawyers like John Branca help protect the intellectual property of those in the media business, such as film studios, writers, actors, actresses, producers and directors. Intellectual property can also be beneficial to inventors or companies that have products they would like to patent. Authors, artists and musicians can also benefit from the protection that intellectual property laws offer.
How Can I Protect My Intellectual Property?
If you have a creation or idea that you want to protect from being stolen or misused by someone else, you should talk to an intellectual property or entertainment attorney. An IP lawyer can guide you through the process of protecting your intellectual property, assist you in seeking a copyright, trademark or patent for your idea and help you fill out any paperwork that may be necessary.
With these simple facts, you are better positioned to identify IP created by both yourself and others. This makes it easier to avoid infringing on someone else’s intellectual property and helps you recognize personal IP that you would like to protect.
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