Today, the practice of IP lawyers is one of the most dynamically developing practices. In the modern conditions, where the economics of technology and innovations are brought to the forefront, the issues of law security and evaluation of IP are becoming gradually more significant.
The statutory right to the result of intellectual labor or intellectual activity of a person is IP. It includes four main components. These are copyright, patent, trademark law or the law on unfair competition, and trade secret.
Objects of the IP significantly affect the blowback of the company and economic of the whole country, and consequently increasingly become an attractive destination for unscrupulous competitors and a topic for litigation. Thus, the defense of IP rights plays a vital role in trade realization.
Types of Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual and creative work is vested in defense, just like human rights. Let's look at what types of IP there are.
- Copyrights
The key aspect of copyright law is the defense of unique intellectual and artistic expressions, music, cinema, writing, and architecture. This right gives the right to the originator that no one can use his creation. The author has the right to reproduce, publicly demonstrate his creation.
Besides, the proprietors are given the ability for financial gain for their work. This excludes the possibility that someone else will be able to get financial benefits from someone else's work. Though, there’re some exceptions to the rules, for example, when a creation is used to make a review (for example, a book review). Usually, this right is valid plus 70 years from the author's life.
- Patents
Everyone knows that a patent is a special document that an inventor receives in order to certify his exclusive right and authorship of any invention. This document is valid for a certain period, everything depends on the object of patenting. Basically, this period is 20 years.
In the USA, there are three types of patents:
- utility patent;
- plant patents;
- design patents.
However, a patent cannot be obtained for an invention that is too obvious, which does not do any good or is anti-moral.
- Trademarks
A trademark is a means of individualizing an enterprise, as well as the goods or services produced by it, the main element of the company's image and the quality guarantee for the consumer. Based on this definition, the trademark is the "face" of the manufactured product, and this is the main element of the trade. That is why it needs reliable protection.
The trademark security is granted after its registering in accordance with the proven procedure and, accordingly, acquisition of the IP right to the trademark.
- Trade Secrets
This law can be disseminated both at the federal and state level. This is something secret that most employees do not know and what benefit this secret can give to competitors.
- Right of Privacy
This law makes available the defense of your data from universal use. It prevents the invasion of a person's private life, the use of his photo or personal data for public viewing by others.
- Right of Publicity
This law provides for the security of human rights from the unsanctioned use of their name, surname to reach commercial goals. For example, a company cannot print your photo and enter a name on its product without your permission.
- Geographical Indications
These are images and signs that are used on goods for different geographical locations. This is done to emphasize the location of the goods because of certain qualities.
Protecting Against Infringement
Violation of this right is the utilization of IP without the knowledge of the owner.
With an eye to avoid the condition when using your property, you have to guard yourself and make sure that people around you recognize your rights.
This will help you lawyers who will make preventive measures to defend your belongings.
Intellectual Property Litigation
Future lawyers who want to specialize in this area of law will have to work very hard. Since this law provides for the study of many branches of law in the legality of the law. For example, it is essential to know federal, administrative and international laws, cognition of trial and all laws relating to IP.
Why Is Intellectual Property Law Important? What Does It Involve?
In the modern world, IP plays a huge role, and issues related to it are of great impact at the personal, corporate and state levels. It is very important to understand all aspects and nuances in order to avoid problems. IP can be valued by the most significant amounts and make its owners millionaires. That is why it's so significant in our world.