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.

---

intellectual property British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of intellectual property

An Americanism dating back to 1840–45

Example Sentences

Some German officials say they might even support requirements for Chinese direct investors in Europe to share their intellectual property with local joint-venture partners—a rule that applied for decades to foreign manufacturers in China.

From The Wall Street Journal

The association rejects ByteDance’s characterization of the infringement as unauthorized use of intellectual property by its users.

From Los Angeles Times

But the use of AI in cinema has prompted thorny legal questions over intellectual property and the very notion of authorship, at a time when legislation is only just beginning to grapple with the subject.

From Barron's

Sixty years later, “Taxman” remains one of the rare pop songs about fiscal policy—and the catalog behind it is proof that intellectual property, once organized, can outlast its creators and compound for generations.

From The Wall Street Journal

As companies chase these shoppers, recognizable intellectual property has become a prerequisite.

From The Wall Street Journal