Patents and intellectual property

A patent is a type of intellectual property. Intellectual property is a product of the human mind that can be protected as property—it is concrete and can be owned.

The types of intellectual property administered by CIPO are patents, trade-marks, copyrights, industrial designs, and integrated circuit topographies.

A trade-mark is a word, or picture, or a combination of these that is used to distinguish the goods or services of one person or organization from those of another.

A copyright is for literary, artistic, dramatic or musical works, computer programs, performer's performances, sound recordings, and communication signals.

Industrial designs are for the shape, pattern, or ornamentation applied to an object.

Integrated circuit topographies refer to the three-dimensional configurations of the elements and interconnections embodied in an integrated circuit product.

All these forms of intellectual property are protected in Canada under different legislation.