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

Overstock acquired the Bath & Beyond intellectual property in 2023 and rebranded itself as Bed Bath & Beyond.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

That sentiment can often seem true in a market where studio executives favor sequels and drab intellectual property over originality and fresh takes.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

These days, the upsurge in streaming television and its hunger for content has made books an even more ubiquitous source of intellectual property for the small screen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

It doesn’t manufacture fuel cells like Bloom but instead licenses the intellectual property behind them.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

He is getting the intellectual property from these three applications, said Juster, and they are empowering him to start a company with very little money.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman