Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC)

Intellectual Property (IP) refers to legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce. IP grants creators exclusive rights to use and control their inventions or works for a specified period, enabling them to profit from their intellectual creations. The main types of IP include:

• Patents: Protect inventions and new processes.
• Trademarks: Protect brand names, logos, and symbols that distinguish goods or services.
• Copyrights: Protect original artistic and literary works.
• Trade Secrets: Protect confidential business information.

Identifying the type of invention should be the first step in the process to protect an invention. It is crucial because it determines the appropriate form of intellectual property protection, which directly impacts how the invention is safeguarded and monetized.

For instance, a patent protects technical inventions, processes, or products, while a design patent protects the ornamental appearance of an item, and a trademark covers branding elements like logos or names.

Understanding the invention type ensures that the creator applies for the correct protection, maximizing their exclusive rights, preventing infringement, and fostering business opportunities or licensing deals. Misclassifying an invention could lead to inadequate protection and potential legal issues.

In this case, use the Identifier to find out the types of IP you might have and learn how to protect them.