Intellectual Property
The concept of intellectual property (IP) is designed to provide legal protection for creative assets, both of the artistic and commercial variety. Intellectual property law provides legal protection over intangible assets such as musical, literary, and artistic works, ideas, discoveries, and inventions, as well as words, phrases, symbols, and designs. IP can be protected by registering patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright with the relevant authorities. IP crime involves the counterfeiting and piracy of trademarked and copyrighted products and services. It defrauds consumers, threatens the health of patients, causes billions of dollars in lost government revenues, foreign investments or business profits, and violates the rights of trademark, patent, and copyright owners. However, there is some debate over whether the theft of intellectual property should be a criminal offence. In the UK in 2009, the government has been urged by some inventors to criminalize patent theft. Currently, inventors have to sue those they believe have stolen their idea through the civil courts. However, opponents argue that criminalization would stifle innovation.
Best Practice- Intellectual Capital
- Managing Intellectual Capital
- Protecting Your Intellectual Property—Nonregistered Rights
- Protecting Your Intellectual Property—Registered Rights
- The Value and Management of Intellectual Property, Intangible Assets, and Goodwill
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