Intellectual Property Types and Protections

Flashcards covering key concepts about types of intellectual property, their protections, and related legal doctrines.

Intellectual Property

Legal rights that result from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary, and artistic fields.

Trade Secrets

Confidential business information that gives a competitive edge.

Trademark

Names, logos, slogans, and symbols that identify a brand’s goods or services.

Copyright

Protection of original expressions fixed in a tangible medium, such as books, music, and movies.

Patent

Legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited time.

Trademark Law Purpose

To prevent consumer confusion and protect brand identity.

Misappropriation of a Trade Secret

Improperly acquiring or disclosing secret information such as through hacking or theft.

Trademark Dilution

Use of a famous trademark in a way that weakens its uniqueness or reputation.

Blurring

Using a famous mark on unrelated products, reducing its distinctiveness.

Tarnishment

Using a famous mark in a way that harms its reputation, often in an offensive context.

Fair Use Doctrine

Allows limited use of copyrighted work for purposes such as commentary, teaching, or parody.

Utility Patent Duration

Lasts 20 years from the filing date.

Design Patent Duration

Lasts 15 years from the issue date.

Patent Protection Requirements

An invention must be novel, non-obvious, and useful.

First-to-File System

Under current US law, the first person to file for a patent receives the patent, not the first to invent.