Intellectual property refers to the legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs. The purpose of intellectual property laws is to promote innovation and creativity by providing legal protection for the people and companies that create these intellectual assets. There are several types of intellectual property rights, including: Patents: Patents provide legal protection for inventions, such as machines, processes, and methods. A patent gives the owner the exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention for a certain period of time. Trademarks: Trademarks are used to protect distinctive words, phrases, logos, and symbols used to identify and distinguish the goods and services of one company from those of another.