Invention, Intellectual Property, and Income
Invention
An invention is a novel creation that has not previously existed or been used. It is the result of applying knowledge, creativity, skill, and effort to solve a problem or fulfill a specific need. An invention can take many forms, including a physical device, a new method or process, a composition of matter, or even an innovative idea with practical application. What distinguishes an invention is its originality and usefulness—it introduces something new to the world that can enhance human life, efficiency, or understanding. Inventions often form the basis for patents, which legally protect the inventor’s rights to their creation.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property rights are legal rights granted to individuals over the creations of their minds, providing them with exclusive control over the use of their creations for a certain period. These rights are broadly categorized into copyright and industrial property. Copyright protects original literary and artistic works, while industrial property protects inventions, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications.
Types of Intellectual Property
1. Patents
Patents are legal rights granted to inventors for new inventions, providing exclusive authority to make, use, sell, or distribute the invention for a fixed period, typically 20 years from the date of filing. Patents incentivize innovation by protecting inventors from unauthorized exploitation of their ideas.
Types of Patents:
- Utility Patents: Granted for new and useful inventions or improvements in machines, processes, or compositions of matter.
- Design Patents: Protect the unique visual qualities or ornamental design of a manufactured object.
Criteria for Patentability:
- Novelty: The invention must be original and not previously disclosed.
- Inventive Step (Non-obviousness): Must not be an obvious solution or improvement.
- Industrial Applicability: Should be capable of practical application in industry
Patenting Process:
- Application Filing: Submit detailed information, including drawings and claims.
- Examination: Patent office evaluates compliance with legal standards.
- Publication: The application is made public after a certain period.
- Grant of Patent: A patent is issued if the invention meets all criteria.
2. Trademarks
Trademarks protect signs, symbols, logos, or words that distinguish one company’s products or services from another’s. They serve as indicators of origin, building consumer trust and business reputation.
Types of Trademarks:
- Word Marks: Brand names, letters, and numbers.
- Figurative Marks: Symbols, images, or logos.
- Composite Marks: Combination of words and graphics.
- Service Marks: Used to identify services instead of goods.
Registration Process:
- Search and Clearance: Ensure the trademark is unique and not already registered.
- Filing an Application: Submit trademark details and usage category.
- Examination: Trademark office reviews for legal compliance.
- Publication: Trademark is published for public opposition.
- Registration: Granted if no valid opposition is filed.
3. Copyrights
Copyright grants creators exclusive rights to use and control original works, including literary, artistic, musical, and audiovisual content. It promotes creative expression by ensuring that authors benefit from their work.
- Literary: Books, software, articles.
- Musical: Songs, scores.
- Artistic: Paintings, sculptures, photos.
- Audiovisual: Movies, documentaries.
- Performances: Dance, theatre.
Registration Process:
- Application Submission: Include creator details and work sample.
- Examination: Office verifies originality and authorship.
- Issuance: Certificate is granted upon approval.
Duration:
- For individuals: Life of the author + 70 years (may vary by jurisdiction).
- For corporate authorship: 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation.
4. Trade Secrets
Trade secrets consist of confidential information that provides businesses with a competitive advantage, such as formulas, practices, designs, or methods. Unlike patents, trade secrets are not publicly disclosed.
5. Industrial Designs
Industrial designs protect the non-functional, aesthetic features of a product—such as its shape, color, and surface pattern. These designs contribute significantly to product appeal and consumer preference.
6. Geographical Indications (GIs)
GIs identify goods that originate from specific regions with qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to that location. They preserve traditional knowledge and enhance economic value.
The CC License Options
There are six different license types, listed from most to least permissive here:
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. CC BY includes the following elements:
BY: credit must be given to the creator.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms. CC BY-SA includes the following elements:
BY: credit must be given to the creator.
SA: Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. CC BY-NC includes the following elements:
BY: credit must be given to the creator.
NC: Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms. CC BY-NC-SA includes the following elements:
BY: credit must be given to the creator.
NC: Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted.
SA: Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
This license enables reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. CC BY-ND includes the following elements:
BY: credit must be given to the creator.
ND: No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted.
This license enables reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. CC BY-NC-ND includes the following elements:
BY: credit must be given to the creator.
NC: Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted.
ND: No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted.
CC0 (aka CC Zero) is a public dedication tool, which enables creators to give up their copyright and put their works into the worldwide public domain. CC0 enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, with no conditions.
Reference:-Creative commons
Choosing license for my project
I chose the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license because I wanted others to be able to use, share, and build upon my work, but only in non-commercial ways. It was important to me that people could adapt or remix what I made, as long as they gave me proper credit and shared their new versions under the same license.
To get my license I followed the steps shown below
- Step 1:- I went to the official Creative Commons website and used their license chooser tool to decide which license I wanted.
- Step 2:- Choose the right license.
- step3 :- Fill the details of your work including project name, link to your work and your profile.
- You will get A short license statement, link to the full legal code and HTML code for websites
