Intellectual property (IP) represents the property of your mind or intellect. In business terms, this also means your proprietary knowledge.Types of IP:

• patents for new or improved products or processes;
• trademarks for words, symbols, pictures, sounds, smells or a combination of these, to distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another;
• designs for the shape or appearance of manufactured goods;
• copyright for original material in literary, artistic, dramatic or musical works, films, broadcasts, multimedia and computer programs;
• circuit layout rights for the 3-dimensional configuration of electronic circuits in integrated circuit products or layout designs;
• plant breeder's rights for new plant varieties; and
• confidentiality/trade secrets including know-how and other confidential or proprietary information.