The protection of intellectual property (IP) created by inventors can be accomplished through various legal mechanisms, each catering to different types of creations. Here’s a breakdown of how each mentioned mechanism protects IP:
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Patents: Patents specifically protect inventions, granting the inventor exclusive rights to use, make, and sell their invention for a certain period (usually 20 years from the filing date). This protection encourages innovation by allowing inventors to reap the benefits of their inventions without competition.
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Registered Designs: This protects the aesthetic or ornamental aspects of a product, such as its shape, configuration, or surface pattern. It is intended to prevent others from using the same design without permission.
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Copyright: Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as literature, music, and artwork. While it does not protect ideas or inventions per se, it provides rights over the expression of those ideas.
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Trademarks: Trademarks protect signs, logos, or phrases that distinguish goods or services of one business from those of others. This helps to maintain the reputation and brand identity of a company.
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Geographical Indications (GIs): GIs protect products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin. This is often applied to agricultural products and foodstuffs.
For inventors specifically, patents are the primary form of protection for their inventions.
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