Intellectual Property Law Explained

Amazon's patent for its one-click purchasing system, granted in 1999, revolutionized e-commerce. Though now expired, it stands as a landmark case in software patents.

The famous "Happy Birthday" song was under copyright protection until a US court ruled it to be in the public domain in 2015, ending years of licensing fees.

After almost a century, the first iterations of Mickey Mouse from "Steamboat Willie" entered the public domain in the United States on January 1st, 2024.

The most valued trademark in 2023 was Apple Inc., with an estimated value of around $880,455 million. This shows the immense financial power of a strong brand.

The term "superhero" is a unique case where rival studios DC Comics and Marvel jointly claimed ownership of the trademark, as the term grew too generic for one to hold exclusively.

Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg owns a trademark for the common word "Home." The company also owns trademarks for the individual words "Face" and "Book."

Singer Beyoncé filed a trademark application for the phrase "I WOKE UP LIKE THIS" for use in clothing and fragrances, after the term gained popularity from her song "Flawless."

We celebrate World IP Day to honor innovation, creativity, and sustainability. This day highlights the crucial role intellectual property plays in global progress.

This month, we shine a spotlight on the inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs who use the power of IP to build a more sustainable future.