Types of Intellectual Property

A patent is an exclusive right that allows an inventor to prevent others from manufacturing, selling, or using the patent owner's invention. In exchange for this right, the patent owner makes technical information about the invention publicly available in the published patent document.

Copyright is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps and technical drawings.

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one party from those of others.

A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, physical device, idea, process, compilation of information, or other information that provides a business with a competitive advantage, and is treated in a way that can reasonably be expected to prevent the public or competitors from learning about it.

If you need to disclose a new invention, the first step is to submit an Invention Disclosure Form. You can submit the form through OTD’s Innovator Portal or email the form to techdevelop@fau.edu. An "invention" is any new process, machine, article of manufacture or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.

If you need to disclose a new work of authorship, please submit a Works Disclosure Form. You can submit the form through OTD’s Innovator Portal or email the form to techdevelop@fau.edu. A "work" is any original literary, musical, dramatic, choreographic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, audiovisual or architectural creation.