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What is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property (IP), as defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is the generic term that refers to the creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce.

Intellectual property rights reward creators and innovators with the exclusive right, for a limited time, to control what others may do with their work. This exclusive right is justified on the basis that creativity is fostered when innovators are accorded the opportunity to make a return on their investment in creativity or innovation.

The main types of IP are:


Publications

Canadian Recording Industry Begins Fight Against Music Uploaders

Supreme Court of Canada Rules Law Society

In Landmark Decision (Tariff 22), Supreme Court Rules ISPs Not Liable for Copyright Violations by Subscribers

Golf Scores v. Yacht Sales: Copyright Law and Data Extraction

Appeal Court Asserts Jurisdiction Over Infringing Course Materials

Use of Two-second Sample in Rap Song Constitutes Infringement, Court Rules

New York Common Law Protects Recordings Out of Copyright, Court Rules

Copyright Bill Gets First Reading as Fears Grow Over Caching

News headlines infringe copyright, court finds

The Verdict

Final nail in the coffin for iPod levy

Employees and Independent Contractors - Who Owns the Copyright?

Advertising Gold Mine or Legal Mine Field: Paid Advertising vs. Trademarked Key Words

McFalafel owner to fight for his prefix

Protecting Intellectual Property Right From the Start

Protecting Business Methods in View of Bilski

Stop taking Canadian Tire money, parts store told

Canada - Internet Piracy Haven

Putting a Patent on Human Genes

US Patent Office Upholds Amazon 1-Click Patent

YouTube's Copyright Fight Flares Up

Furor Over Online Furey Art

Geo-blocking: Fitting a Square Peg in a Round Hole

Immigration and Intellectual Property: An Overlooked Intersection in Today

Crossing Borders, Part 1: The Intellectual Property Implications

Intellectual Property Issues for IT Law and Business

Business Method Patents

Battle brewing over coffee logo

Linsanity trademarked, but not by Jeremy Lin