Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is a legal term which refers to an idea or product that is created in the mind and is used in commerce. By establishing the appropriate copyright, patent or trademark, the owner of an intellectual property is entitled to certain exclusive rights as to how property is used or distributed.World Intellectual Property Organization: What is Intellectual Property?

On July 8, 2008, Apple filed suit in a California district court that charged PsyStar with eight claims of copyright infringement, breach of contract, trademark and trade infringement, and unfair competition.PC Magazine: Apple Finally Sues Psystar; Asks for Recall (July 15, 2008)

1. Industrial property: inventions (patents), trademarks, industrial designs, and geographic indications of sourceWorld Intellectual Property Organization: What is Intellectual Property?
2. Copyright: Literary and artistic works, including novels, poems and plays, films, musical works, drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptures and architectural designsWorld Intellectual Property Organization: What is Intellectual Property?

1. 1978: The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) assists innovators in obtaining patent protection throughout the world and encourages small businesses and individuals to seek patent protection abroadU.S. Department of State: What is Intellectual Property?
2. 1995: Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (the Madrid Protocol) provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trademark holders to ensure protection for their marks in multiple countries by filing one application with a single office, in one language, with one set of fees and in one currencyU.S. Department of State: What is Intellectual Property?
3. 1995: The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) was put into force to establish a single source for intellectual property obligations and norms by The World Trade Organization (WTO)U.S. Department of State: What is Intellectual Property?
4. 1996:The Trademark Law Treaty (TLT) entered into force to simplify procedures in the application and registration process and to harmonize trademark procedures in different countriesU.S. Department of State: What is Intellectual Property?
5. 2005: The Patent Law Treaty (PLT) entered into force to harmonize some patent application procedures to reduce or eliminate formalities and the potential for loss of rightsU.S. Department of State: What is Intellectual Property?