Business Law: Intellectual property

This guide is specifically designed for students studying the legal aspects of business, management and accounting. It contains resources about case law, legislation and the legal environment in which businesses operate.

Introduction

Intellectual Property Law is a system designed to manage and protect our ideas, creations, inventions and innovations.  It regulates ownership of intangible works; works like art, music, technology, designs, and company brands and labels. IP Law resolves disputes about ownership – is it my property, the publisher’s, or the company’s?

IP law is designed to protect authors, designers and creators of work by ensuring the financial rewards and deserved accolades are recognised and received. The law thereby encourages innovation and invention. It also must strike a balance between protecting the rights of individuals and providing for the collective good of society.

Intellectual Property is “Intangible property that includes patents, trade marks, copyright, and registered and unregistered design rights”.

Law, J.; & Martin, E. intellectual property. In A Dictionary of Law. : Oxford University Press. Retrieved 22 Aug. 2017, from http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199551248.001.0001/acref-9780199551248-e-2002.