---
title: What types of intellectual property can I protect?
description: "\"Discover the most common types of intellectual property and learn how to protect them with Legal Faqs. Read our informative blog now and safeguard your creative ideas!\""
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 March 25, 2023

# What types of intellectual property can I protect?

![Picture of Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/battis-mug.jpg?width=50&name=battis-mug.jpg) By  [Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis)  ·   1 minute read

As a lawyer, I can provide legal advice on the types of intellectual property that can be protected under current laws and legal precedents in the relevant jurisdiction.

There are four main types of intellectual property that can be protected under current laws: **patents**, **trademarks**, **copyrights**, and **trade secrets**.

**Patents** are legal protections for inventions and processes. They can be granted for products, machines, methods, and compositions of matter. Patent protection is granted by the government and gives the inventor exclusive rights to manufacture, use, and sell the invention for a certain period of time, usually 20 years.

**Trademarks** are used to protect unique brand names and symbols used to identify and distinguish products or services from other brands. A trademark is a type of intellectual property that can be registered with the government and can be used to protect a business’s identity from being copied or imitated.

**Copyrights** protect creative works such as art, literature, music, and computer software. Copyright protection is granted by the government and gives the creator exclusive rights to copy, distribute or display their work for a certain period of time. Limitations may apply, such as the doctrine of fair use, which allows others to use copyrighted material for certain purposes, including educational or research purposes.

**Trade secrets** are confidential or proprietary information that provides a competitive advantage to a business. Examples of trade secrets include customer lists, manufacturing processes, and business strategies. Trade secret protection is granted by contractual agreements such as non-disclosure agreements and non-competition agreements.

It is important to note that some types of intellectual property may not be afforded legal protection or may require additional steps to be taken to secure protection. For example, not all inventions may qualify for patent protection, and some trade secrets may not be considered confidential or proprietary enough to be protected under trade secret laws.

If you have intellectual property that you wish to protect, it may be best to consult with a licensed attorney who can assist you in determining the best course of action to pursue legal protection for your property.

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