April 26, 2024 is World IP Day.
Intellectual Property (IP)
What is intellectual property and why do we need it?
Imagine – you just wrote a song, or you developed an app, or you came up with a really cool fashion design.
Now imagine – if that song, app, or design was copied without your permission. Scary, isn’t it? This is precisely the chaos that intellectual property rights help prevent.
Intellectual property, or IP, is a category of property that includes creations of the mind. It includes everything from the catchy tune of your favorite pop song, the distinctive logo on your cool sneakers, the unique design of the latest smart phone, to the secret recipe of your favorite fast-food chain or soft drink.
Intellectual property rights are like invisible shields, protecting your creations from being used without your permission. They ensure the creators, innovators, or inventors are rewarded for their creativity. Think about J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series, or Steve Jobs and Apple, Incorporated. Without IP rights, they would not have been able to profit from their creativity and innovation. By having that invisible shield protecting their creations, others have been inspired to also think outside the box.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the USPTO, is deeply committed to fostering IP education for community college students. Through a variety of resources, programs, and events, the USPTO aims to equip the next generation of creators and innovators like you with a thorough understanding of IP.
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides training, education, and capacity building programs designed to foster respect for intellectual property (IP) and encourages development of strong IP enforcement practices by US corporations, universities, and trading partners.
For more information about the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the USPTO, please visit our website at https://www.uspto.gov/.
For more information about the many no cost resources available to assist you on your innovation journey, visit us at https://www.uspto.gov/learning-resources.
The USPTO events page is a rolling roster of free programming and events, virtual and in-person, divided by topic areas, event types, and by region: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events.
The USPTO provided the following microlearning course on Youtube as an introductory language for IP:
USPTO Community College Consortium
* Google Translations are provided only for your convenience. *
Please contact the department if you have any questions.