When businesses or individuals in Georgia create products or services, these creations are typically protected by rights called intellectual property. There are many different types of intellectual property, including authors rights, patents, copyrights and trade secrets.
Intellectual property is important because it protects creators from any other parties or entities claiming ownership of their creations. The idea of intellectual property in this country was implemented centuries ago with the drafting of the United States Constitution. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8 states that the U.S. Congress allows creators to have exclusive rights to their inventions or discoveries for a set period of time. This helps ensure that creators have the rights to their creations without fear of having another party take ownership of their work, and it helps creators enjoy the monetary rewards and profits that come from their creations.
Laws covering intellectual property were strengthened between the late 18th and late 19th centuries. In addition to protecting the rights of companies and individuals who had created products and services, intellectual property laws also encouraged other budding creators to create their own products since they knew that their creations would be protected from theft. This in turn helped spur capitalism and the concept of healthy competition. Intellectual property laws are also set up in such a way as to help encourage the free flow of ideas so that inventors and creators are free to create their own versions of a product as long as those products don’t infringe on the rights of other creators.
Intellectual property laws can be very complex, and when disputes arise, they can be difficult for companies or individuals to untangle on their own. Working with a law firm that has experience in business disputes involving these types of laws may make it easier to come to a resolution.
