Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is a patent or trademarked product invented by a company that entitles the company to protect it from unauthorized use. Think of any product or service or brand name you are familiar with. These are the intellectual properties of the companies that invented them, and can protect it from others who may want to use it without that company’s permission.

Related Articles:
  • Is Your Cell Phone a Fake?
    On February 2, 2012, the federal government seized $400,000 in counterfeit NFL goods in New Jersey, as knock-off producers tried to capitalize on the hype surrounding the Super Bowl. When it comes to counterfeiting, any product of value can be copied and pawned off as the real thing, violating companies’ intellectual property rights and sometimes posing risks to consumers.
  • Apple vs. Samsung: The Clash of the Smartphones
    This month in San Jose, Calif., the two biggest smartphone companies in the world, Apple and Samsung Electronics, entered into a head-to-head intellectual property rights lawsuit. KWHS examines corporate litigation and costly patent wars.
  • Shout-out to Potential Computer Scientists: Don’t Just Consume Technology; Create It
    Next time you post on Instagram or lose it over a YouTube video, consider the technology behind these essentials of daily life. Sarah Friar, CFO of Square in San Francisco, wants to motivate young women around the world – including Australia, which has a shortfall of 37,000 computer engineers – to consider careers in technology and engineering.
  • The Value of Intellectual Property
    In the world of intellectual property, people and businesses have the right to protect what they create. A newly published report says the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted 300,678 new patents in 2014, an 8% rise over the previous year. Meanwhile, a patent-infringement case just launched by Jawbone against Fitbit promises to escalate. Yes, our ideas have value -- but how far should we go to defend them?
  • Let’s Party! The ‘Happy Birthday’ Song Loses Its Copyright
    Who knew that a big name in the music industry was collecting royalties for all these years on the most popular song in the world? Well, no more. This fall, a judge ruled that a copyright on the “Happy Birthday” song is no longer valid. KWHS explores the implications of this case for intellectual property, as well as the history of a song we all know and love.