Basics of Intellectual Property Rights

An ‘Intellectual Property’ may be of various kinds such as artistic works like paintings, books, music, literature, including symbols, words, designs and phrases as well as discoveries and inventions. ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ or ‘IPR’ is the monopoly or rights granted by law to the creators of an ‘Intellectual Property’ for the creations of their minds. Such ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ or ‘IPR’ generally gives the creator a privileged right for the use of his/her creation for a certain period of time.

Some of the most common types of ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ granted include all kinds of patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial design rights, trade secrets etc. The term ‘Intellectual Property’ was not used until the 19th century, though Intellectual Property laws had evolved over centuries. The term became more common around the world only in the late 20th century. However, the Statute of Monopolies passed in 1624 is seen as the origin of the patent law and for further firmly establishing the concept of intellectual property.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I from 1558 till 1603, several royal grants were conferred for monopoly privileges. These grants laid the foundation for the concept of patents. Today, patents represents the exclusive legal right of an inventor for exclusive control over the production and sale of his mechanical or scientific invention. The Government of the Greek state of Sybaris passed a statute in the year 500 BCE that provided one year’s patent to anyone who would discover any new refinement in luxury. The roots of the idea of an intellectual property can be traced back till the times when the Jewish laws were established. Several Jewish laws included various considerations whose essence are similar to those of modern intellectual property laws. However, the idea of considering intellectual creations as property did not exist.