Glossary

Intellectual property is a legal sector that enforces and protects abstract and concrete commercially valuable products of human intellect. 

Examples of intellectual property include innovations or inventions that result from creativity, such as artistic and literary creations, designs, images and names used in commerce, symbols, and other works. 

Intellectual property primarily encompasses copyright, trademark, and patent rights. However, the area of law also includes rights against unfair competition, trade secret rights, and more. 

To advance the arts and sciences in the United States, intellectual property is protected by congressional law. 

Registering intellectual property, with the assistance of an intellectual property attorney, enables owners to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they create or invent. 

The U.S. Copyright Office and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office enforce intellectual property laws passed by Congress.