Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind that can receive legal protection, including inventions, written and artistic works, designs, names, logos, and certain confidential business information. Intellectual property rights can help individuals and businesses protect and control how their creations and innovations are used.

Each protects a different type of intellectual property. Trademarks generally protect names, logos, slogans, and other identifiers that distinguish goods or services. Copyrights protect original creative works such as writing, photographs, music, artwork, and software. Patents protect qualifying inventions and certain new and useful processes, machines, manufactured items, or compositions of matter.

The right approach depends on what you’re trying to protect. A business may use trademarks for its brand, copyrights for original creative works, patents for qualifying inventions, and confidentiality measures or trade-secret protections for certain valuable business information. Identifying your intellectual property early can help you determine what protections may be available.

It’s often helpful to speak with an intellectual property attorney before publicly disclosing an invention, launching a new brand, entering into an agreement involving intellectual property, or discovering that someone may be using your intellectual property without permission. An attorney can help you understand what protections may apply and hwat steps may be appropriate for your particular situation.