Have you ever had an idea?

If so, you have intellectual property. 

Surprised?

Although we see the term “intellectual property” regularly, it seems very few people outside the legal and technical professions understand much about this area of law.  Popular myths include the beliefs that intellectual property “belongs only to intellectuals,” and “only matters to creative or technical professionals like artists, writers, performers and computer programmers.”     

The term “intellectual property” refers to intangible forms of property such as ideas, inventions and creative works.  Intellectual property law sets the standards for how, when and to what extent owners, sometimes referred to as creators or inventors, have the ability to protect and sell their ideas, inventions and works.

Intellectual Property rights in the United States are governed by Federal law, state law and treaties between the United States and foreign nations.

Different types of intellectual property are treated differently. 

Patent law generally governs discoveries and inventions.  For example, the inventor of a unique machine may be able to obtain a patent, which gives the individual creator a limited monopoly on the invention for a specific period of time.  Once the patent expires the invention enters the public domain, which means that the inventor’s monopoly no longer exists and anyone may create and use the invention without paying a license fee. 

Trademark law governs “words, slogans and phrases” used to identify a particular source of goods or services for sale in the marketplace.

Copyright governs “creative works” such as books, poems and yes, blog entries.  It also covers such diverse areas as artistic and photographic works, music and architecture.

A branch of intellectual property law even governs “trade secrets,” protecting the rights of an individual or a company to maintain a business edge obtained by certain types of proprietary information.

Romans 13 commands:

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God,” (Romans 13:1) “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”

Knowledge is essential to fulfill this command.

Over the next few weeks, this blog will explore intellectual property from a Christian, legal perspective, with a focus on explaining what every Christian should know in order to properly respect and protect the gifts and blessings the LORD provides in the form of intangible property and related rights.

© Susan Spann, 2005