While a common New Year’s resolution is to go to the gym regularly to improve one’s appearance, we do not pay enough attention to an equally noble goal of exercising the mind. Also overlooked is how individuals and businesses can protect creations of the mind by properly utilizing the IP laws established by Congress. 

Intellectual property (IP) generally refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. Our Founding Fathers saw fit to protect IP to encourage innovation and creativity by giving creators and inventors exclusive rights to their creations for a limited period of time. The U.S. Constitution expressly empowered Congress to establish laws protecting these rights. 

There are distinct types of IP, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Patents protect new and useful inventions or discoveries, while copyrights protect original literary, artistic, and musical works. Trademarks protect brand names and logos, while trade secrets protect confidential business information. 

Protecting IP is important because it allows creators and inventors to be compensated for their work and to control how it is used. Without IP protection, people may be able to use or profit from someone else’s creations without permission or compensation. This could discourage creativity and innovation, as people may be less likely to invest time and resources into creating new ideas if they cannot protect them. 

IP protection can also be controversial, as it can limit the free flow of information and ideas. Some people argue that IP laws are too restrictive and can stifle creativity and innovation. There are also concerns about the affordability of IP protection, as obtaining patents and trademarks can be expensive and time-consuming. But many of the innovations and brands that we have today would not exist without incentives that enable inventors and creators to profit from their work. 

As we enter the new year, it is important for individuals and businesses to consider the role that IP plays in their own goals and plans. Put a plan in place for exercising the mind to create new ideas and a plan to protect those ideas. Whether you are an inventor, artist, or business owner, protecting your IP can help you achieve your goals and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your work. Society in general will benefit as well from new creations. So by exercising the mind, you help not only yourself or your business, but your new ideas could ultimately benefit millions of others.