Definition of 'intellectual property'
IP is continually generated by researchers. It is not just tangible items such as patents, designs, manuscripts, and pieces of art, but ideas, data, concepts and theories. IP includes:
- Literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works in which copyright subsists.
- Field and laboratory notebooks.
- Cinematographic and multimedia works in which copyright subsists.
- Performances of performing artists, sound recordings and broadcasts.
- Patentable and non-patentable inventions.
- Registered and unregistered designs, plant varieties and topographies.
- Circuit layouts.
- Registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks and commercial names and designations.
- Databases, computer software and related material not otherwise coming within any of the other designated items of ‘intellectual property’.
- Scientific discoveries.
- Know-how and other proprietary information associated with any of the other designated items of ‘intellectual property’.