Demystifying “Intellectual Property”
According to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names and images used in commerce. IP is an intangible asset to a company. It gives business partners and financial institutions the confidence to invest in or collaborate with the organisation. Non-lawyers often think that a same law applies/governs to patent, trademark, copyright etc. Well the truth is although all fall under a common umbrella called IP however these laws originated separately, evolved differently and covers different aspects. In Richard M. Stallman's article "Did You Say “Intellectual Property? It's a Seductive Mirage" he mentions that for instance, Copyright law was designed to promote authorship and art, and covers the details of expression of a work. Patent law was intended to promote the publication of useful ideas, at the price of giving t