Law & contractsen
Intellectual property (IP)
Exclusive rights granted over creations of the mind (patents, trademarks, designs, copyright) and their protection in international trade.
Intellectual property (IP) refers to the exclusive rights granted to creators over their works of the mind. In international trade, IP protection is a major strategic concern.
The main categories of IP rights are:
- Patents: protection of technical inventions (20 years)
- Trademarks: distinctive signs identifying products or services (indefinitely renewable in 10-year periods)
- Designs: protection of a product's appearance
- Copyright: literary, artistic works, software
- Trade secrets: confidential information with commercial value
- Geographical indications: appellations of origin, PGI
Internationally, IP is protected by several conventions:
- Paris Convention (1883): national treatment principle and right of priority
- TRIPS Agreement (WTO): minimum protection standards in 164 countries
- Madrid System: international trademark registration
- PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty): international patent filing
Customs plays a key role in IP border protection (EU Regulation 608/2013): detention of goods suspected of being counterfeit, destruction under customs control.