Intellectual property
From The Glossary of Digital Photography
A general description applied to works created by photographers, artists, musicians, writers, inventors, and others. Intellectual property is generally protected by copyrights, trademarks, and patents. National governments give protection to creators through laws defining periods of time that creators have exclusive rights to their intellectual property. Intellectual property rights are what copyright law is based on, and copyright law is the basis upon which professional digital photographers make their living. Without copyright law, anyone could use the intellectual property created by digital photographers, or others, without payment. Such a situation would make it very difficult to make a living as a professional digital photographer. Intellectual property is a term recognized by most national governments throughout the world. See also copyright
