intellectual property

American  

noun

1. Law. property that results from original creative thought, as patents, copyright material, and trademarks.

2. an individual product of original creative thought.

   Microsoft’s Halo franchise is one of the most profitable intellectual properties in the video game industry.

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intellectual property British  

noun

1. an intangible asset, such as a copyright or patent

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Etymology

Origin of intellectual property

An Americanism dating back to 1840–45

Example Sentences

Not since “Cats” has there been a more misguided yet enterprising work of big-budget, intellectual property cinema.

From Salon

At the time, it also said it was not involved in the creation or distribution of the content and had not granted permission to use its intellectual property.

From BBC

In a LinkedIn post about the case, he wrote that the decision “represents a philosophical milestone — one that exposes how deeply our intellectual property system struggles to confront autonomous machine creativity.”

From Los Angeles Times

Software and drug companies seem expensive because much of their worth is in their intellectual property, which doesn’t show up on a balance sheet like industrial plants or equipment would.

From Barron's

News organizations have taken a multipronged approach to AI companies, forging partnerships with some to ensure they get paid for their intellectual property, while pursuing litigation against others.

From The Wall Street Journal