Classification of the intellectual property -WIPO-

So far, we have learned about the related concepts about the legal framework for the registration of intellectual property in the O-City platform, now we will dedicate ourselves to learn about the classification of intellectual property according to the world intellectual property organization.

Throughout this lesson, learners will work on the classification of intellectual property according to the WIPO framework.

Objective

Recognize the current legal framework for the registration of intellectual property of the products that are designed for the O-City Platform.
 

Concepts

According to the WIPO, intellectual property is classified in:

-    Copyright: Copyright (or author’s right) is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings. (WIPO, n.d.)

-    Patents: A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application. Patents are territorial rights. In general, the exclusive rights are only applicable in the country or region in which a patent has been filed and granted, in accordance with the law of that country or region. (WIPO, n.d.)

-    Trademarks:
 

A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or
 
services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks are protected by intellectual property rights. At the national/regional level, trademark protection can be obtained through registration, by filing an application for registration with the national/regional trademark office and paying the required fees. At the international level, you have two options: either you can file a trademark application with the trademark office of each country in which you are seeking protection, or you can use WIPO’s (WIPO, n.d.)

-    Industrial designs: In a legal sense, an industrial design constitutes the ornamental aspect of an article. An industrial design may consist of three- dimensional features, such as the shape of an article, or two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or color. (WIPO, n.d.)

-    Geographical indications: A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products. (WIPO, n.d.)

-    Trade secrets: Trade secrets are intellectual property (IP) rights on confidential information which may be sold or licensed. In general, to qualify as a trade secret, the information must be:
•    commercially valuable because it is secret,
•    be known only to a limited group of persons, and
•    be subject to reasonable steps taken by the rightful holder of the information to keep it secret, including the use of confidentiality agreements for business partners and employees. (WIPO, n.d.)

Conclusions

Intellectual Property is the source of development of several economic activities. The adequate exploitation and protection of Intellectual Property assets affects the generation of employment and income for a large chain of people who participate in obtaining the final product, therefore, being able to proper identify the classification of Intellectual Property, has an impact in development.
 

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