Communication From the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee

Commission of the European Communities

7/25/2008
(Original Publish Date: 3/1/2008)

Intellectual property law establishes protection over intangible property. For example, when a manufactured product is sold, the product itself is then owned by the purchaser. However, intellectual property rights allow associated intangible elements to remain in the ownership of the creator or inventor of the product. These intangible elements include the idea or invention behind the product or the name or sign to distinguish it from others. Traditionally, intellectual property can be divided into two main categories: industrial property and copyright. This Communication focuses on industrial property rights.