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

But Josh Gerben, one of the first attorneys to report Swift’s latest legal moves, said this is one of the growing gaps in intellectual property protection that AI can exploit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The more recent iteration of Bed Bath & Beyond emerged after Overstock acquired the failed retailer’s intellectual property in 2023.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Other agreements dealt with digital cooperation, intellectual property and the development of nuclear power plants.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

The loo will come with a fan and exhaust pipe to channel odours out of the car, according to the filing on China's intellectual property administration seen by the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

He didn’t answer when I asked whether he considered train tickets material or intellectual property.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz