1. Identify protectable creations

In principle, general ideas and concepts are freely available and cannot be monopolized. Thus, an abstraction can never be the source of a private right as such, and can always be reproduced by anyone.

On the other hand, certain specific and defined material embodiments of the original idea, or certain implementations of it, may, subject to compliance with a certain number of legal conditions, be protected.

IP thus confers monopolies, generally temporary, on a technical achievement, a distinctive sign, an ornamental appearance or a given creation.

The main IP rights are as follows:

• patents, which provide protection for technical innovations that are new, inventive and capable of industrial application (protection for 20 years from filing);

• ...