IP is a pillar of the knowledge economy.
Patent
Patents protect new inventions, including products and methods, granting the patent holder exclusive rights to exclude others from making, using, selling, and importing the invention for a certain period of time.
- Protects inventions, utility models, and industrial designs
- Must meet novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability requirements
- Provides exclusive rights and competitive market advantages
- Can be transferred and licensed to others
Trademark
Trademarks protect signs that distinguish the source of goods or services, helping consumers identify and select products or services of a specific brand.
- Includes combinations of words, graphics, letters, numbers, etc.
- Enhances brand recognition and commercial value
- Prevents brand confusion and infringement
- Is an important intangible asset for enterprises
Copyright
Copyright protects original works in the literary, artistic, and scientific fields, granting authors exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, etc. their works.
- Arises automatically, no registration required (though registration provides additional protection)
- Protects expressions rather than ideas themselves
- Includes reproduction rights, distribution rights, performance rights, etc.
- Protects original works
Industrial Design
Industrial design protects new designs of a product's shape, pattern, color, or combination thereof that are aesthetically pleasing and suitable for industrial application.
- Protects the visual appearance of products
- Emphasizes aesthetics and industrial applicability
- Can be protected simultaneously with patents
- Enhances product market competitiveness
Geographical Indication
Geographical indications protect products originating from specific geographical regions where natural or human factors in that region essentially influence the specific quality, reputation, or other characteristics of the product.
- Indicates the geographical origin of the product
- Associated with product quality or characteristics
- Protects regional brand value
- Prevents misleading use
Trade Secret
Trade secrets protect technical and business information that is not known to the public, can bring economic benefits to the right holder, has practical utility, and for which the right holder has taken confidentiality measures.
- No registration required, maintained by confidentiality measures
- Includes technical secrets and business secrets
- Can be protected indefinitely (as long as kept confidential)
- Requires reasonable confidentiality measures
WIPO International Services
Application Process
Preliminary Preparation
Determine the type of intellectual property, conduct search and analysis, evaluate innovation points and protectability
Application Preparation
Prepare application documents, including specifications, claims, drawings, and other necessary materials
Submission
Submit application to relevant intellectual property office or through international systems such as PCT, Madrid, etc.
Examination Process
Cooperate with examiners to respond to examination opinions, make modifications when necessary
Grant and Certificate
After application is approved, pay fees and obtain the certificate
Maintenance and Management
Regular payment of annuities, monitoring for infringement, and protection of rights