| Intellectual Property Protection Mechanism | Definition of Protection Mechanism | Protection Rights Granted | Terms of Protetction |
|---|
| Utility Patent |
a new, useful, and non-obvious process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new, useful, and non-obvious improvements |
to make, use, sell, import |
20 years from date of filing, subject to payment of maintenance fees |
| Plant Patent |
a distinct and new variety of plant invented or discovered and asexually reproduced |
to make, use, sell, import |
20 years from date of filing |
| Design Patent |
a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; the appearance of a functional object |
to make, use, sell, import |
14 years from date of grant |
| Trademark |
a word, name, slogan, symbol, or device that is used in trade to indicate the source of goods and to distinguish them from the goods of others |
exclusive use |
20 years from date of filing, subject to payment of maintenance fees |
| Copyright |
original works of creative expressionfixed in any tangible medium, such as writing, software, music, a recording or work of art, photograph, motion picture, or choreography |
to copy, perform, distribute, adapt, display |
20 years from date of filing, subject to payment of maintenance fees |
| Trade Secret |
information such as a formula, pattern, process, or device that is not generally known, which a company keeps secret to for its own advantage |
exclusive use |
as long as it can be kept a secret |
|
