intellectual property rights

Intellectual property rights is a term used to collectively refer to various rights which are:

1. copyright
2. patents
3. trade marks
4. rights in designs
5. rights in databases
6. confidential information and trade secrets
7. passing off
8. performers' rights
9. recording rights

Intellectual property rights by their nature "preventative" rights. They entitle the owner to prevent third parties from performing acts in respect to the material in which the rights exist.  These are known as "exclusive rights" and form the basis of the monopoly granted by the intellectual property rights.

Usage: The intellectual property rights protected the invention from being copied by third parties.

Related Words: trade mark; copyright; registered design rights; unregistered design rights; patent; confidential information; registered trade mark.