Intellectual property (IP) research investigates creations of the mind, such as inventions and creative works, and the legal rights that protect them, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Research is conducted to understand how to create, protect, manage, and commercialize IP in fields like technology, science, and the arts.
What is Intellectual Property (IP) Research?
IP research involves the study of:
Creations of the Mind:
- This includes inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, and names used in commerce.
Legal Frameworks:
- Research explores the patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets that give creators exclusive rights over their work.
Innovation Ecosystems:
- Studies examine how IP law fosters innovation by providing incentives for
creativity and the sharing of knowledge.
Key Areas of IP Research
Patents and Inventions:
- Research into patent law, its role in protecting technical inventions, and its
economic impact.
Copyright and Creative Works:
- Investigation into copyright law for protecting literary, musical, and artistic works,
including software and digital content.
Trademark:
- Investigations into non-use to determine whether the trademark registrant is using the trademark in any form on any type of product or service available in the market.
- Trademark Usage Investigation to obtain data and information regarding alleged trademark infringement, conducted through field investigations, market inspections, and desktop searches to document and collect evidence regarding illegal trademark use.
Trade Secrets and Know-How:
- Research into the protection of confidential information and proprietary knowledge.
Data and Databases:
- Studies on intellectual property rights related to research data, including the ability to claim ownership and require credit for data collection.
Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge:
- Research into IP protection for genetic resources and traditional knowledge, as
seen in recent international treaties.