Intellectual Property Rights

October 4, 2008
Intellectual Property News and Interesting Facts

Intellectual property rights are a package of exclusive rights over creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial. The former is covered by copyright laws, which protect creative works, such as books, films, music, paintings, photographs, and software, and gives the copyright holder exclusive right to control reproduction or alteration of such works for a certain period of time.

The second category is collectively known as “industrial properties“, as they are typically created and used for industrial or commercial purposes. A patent may be granted for a new, useful, and non-obvious invention and gives the patent holder a right to prevent others from using the invention without a license from the inventor for a certain period of time. A trademark is a distinctive sign that is used to prevent confusion among products in the marketplace.

An industrial design right protects the form of appearance, style or design of an industrial object from violation. A trade secret is an item of non-public information concerning the commercial practices or proprietary knowledge of a business. Public disclosure of trade secrets may sometimes be illegal.

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Contact Details for Smit & Van Wyk

Tel:
+27 (0) 12 349 7800

Fax:
+27 (0) 86 619 0493

E-mail:
enquiries@svw.co.za

Physical Address / Courier
Block A Apex Corporate Park
Quintin Brand Street
Persequor Technopark
Meiring Naudé Avenue
Pretoria
0184
South Africa

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