Intellectual Property
The four main types of intellectual property are:
Copyright - Protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, software, etc.
Patent - Protects inventions and processes that are new, useful, and unapparent
Trademark - Protects words, symbols, or designs associated with a product or service
Trade Secret - Protects confidential information that gives a business a competitive advantage
Yes, there is a time limit on intellectual property. The specific duration varies depending on the type of intellectual property and the jurisdiction.
Federally, copyright lasts the author's lifetime plus 70 years. Patents generally last 20 years from the filing date, and trademarks can last indefinitely if they are actively used and renewed every 10 years. Trade secrets are protected as long as they are kept confidential.
Colorado law specifically recognizes that copyrights can last a maximum of 56 years after the copyright is initially acquired, and validates trademark registrations for five years from the filing date.
Ideas, facts, and common knowledge cannot be protected as intellectual property. While you can protect the expression of an idea, the idea itself is not subject to copyright. Similarly, facts and information in the public domain cannot be copyrighted.
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