Research Guides: Bruin Success with Less Stress: Intellectual Property

1. Intellectual Property Law: Why Should I Care?

Question:

Are Eddie's lyrics copyrighted now?

Answer

Yes. Because Eddie has written the lyrics down, they're in a fixed form, and are therefore copyrighted and his intellectual property.

What Is Intellectual Property?

Your Rights

The writers of the Constitution were, among many things, scientists, inventors, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs. Promoting and rewarding creativity, innovation, intellect and progress were high on their list of priorities. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution states: "Congress shall have the power to... promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries" (US Const., art I. sec. 8, cl. 8.).

Thanks to this section, your intellectual property is protected by the Constitution.

In a nutshell, intellectual property laws include issues related to: copyright, trademarks, and patents. Basically, intellectual property laws give people the right to own and profit from their artistic, scientific and technological creations for a designated period of time.