Intellectual Property (IP) is the set of rights that covers intellectual creations and is divided into two main domains: Copyright and Industrial Property.
Copyright aims to protect literary and artistic works and encompasses patrimonial rights and personal rights, known as moral rights.
Industrial Property aims to protect inventions (patents and utility models), aesthetic creations (designs or models) and signs used to distinguish products and companies in the market (brands and other SDC).
Intellectual Creations can be the object of a property right – the so-called industrial property right.
It allows to ensure the monopoly or exclusive use over:
– Inventions
– Aesthetic creations (design)
– Signs used to distinguish products and companies in the market
Advantages of protection/registration
– Ensures a legal monopoly.
– Grants the right to use symbols that deter violation.
– Provides greater security for the investments the company makes.
– It implies the presumption that there are no prior trademarks, patents, designs or models (or other modalities) that make it unfeasible. It thus minimizes the risk of conflict with holders of prior rights.
– Assigns a property right (freely available).
Intellectual Property Protection Registration Methods
Inventions
The results of inventive activity in all technological fields may be protected, on a temporary basis through:
– Patents
– Utility Models
Signs
A graphic element, such as a figure or a word, that serves to identify products or services, establishments or entities on the market can be protected through:
– Brands
– Logos
– Rewards
– Designations of Origin
– Geographical Indications
Design
The appearance or design of an object (the aesthetic configuration resulting from the creative activity of companies and designers) can be protected through:
– Drawings or Models