(NC)-Celebrate World Intellectual Property Day on April 26 by brushing up on intellectual property, or inventions of the mind, such as symbols, names, pictures, designs, songs and even electronic circuitry that can be legally protected. Is your great idea the next light bulb or telephone?

Patents give inventors exclusive rights to their inventions. Patents are granted for products or processes that are new, workable and ingenious (novel, useful and inventive). You must provide a full description of your invention so that all Canadians may benefit from it.

Trade-marks are used to distinguish the wares or services of one person or organization from those of others in the marketplace. A trade-mark is a word or design (or a combination of these features) that distinguishes you.

Copyrights apply to all original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works from the moment they are created.

Industrial designs include the shape, configuration, pattern or ornament (or any combination of these features) applied to a product.

Integrated circuit topographies refer to the three-dimensional circuitry inside modern information, communications, entertainment, manufacturing, medical and space technologies.

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office, an agency of Industry Canada located in Gatineau, Quebec, administers the intellectual property system in Canada and processes thousands of applications every year. Contact their office if you have any questions about your great idea or creation at 1-866-997-1936 or visit their website at www.cipo.gc.ca.

Credit: www.newscanada.com