What are the theories of intellectual property rights?

Intellectual property (IP) are the rights given to people for certain things they create. Here are some important features for each of these forms of IP, on the most basic level:

Patents protect processes and methods, which includes inventions, software, machines, manufactured items, compositions, and designs.

Protecting Intellectual Property Rights

Trademarks protect the identifying properties of something, whether that is the name, the website address, the logo, the slogan, or anything else of that nature.

Copyrights protect content. This can be content surrounding your products, articles, books, podcasts, songs, movies, guides, etc. If it takes even modest amounts of creativity to create, it’s likely covered by copyright law.

Trademarks and copyrights have “common law” rights which protect your creations to a certain degree. However, it is worth registering your IP with the Patent and Trademark Office  to get the most out of your IP. It will more greatly prevent others from ripping you off by providing a greater sense of notice to infringers. Also, you have to register your trademark and copyright in order to have standing to sue in federal court.