Industrial property is a specific branch of intellectual property that focuses on the protection of inventions, industrially applicable aesthetic creations (designs) and distinctive signs (trademarks, geographical indications) used in business. The primary objective of this legal field is to secure the rights of inventors or businesses over their innovations and creations, thereby stimulating innovation and economic competitiveness.
The protection offered by industrial property primarily includes patents, which are exclusive rights granted for new inventions that involve an inventive step and are capable of industrial application. Designs protect the aesthetic appearance of an object, such as its shape, while trademarks secure signs, regardless of their form (words, logos, combinations, etc.) used by businesses to distinguish their products or services from those of other companies.
Industrial property allows inventors and businesses to commercially benefit from their investments in creation and innovation. In exchange for public disclosure of the invention, the system grants a temporary monopoly on exploitation, thereby encouraging technical advancements and economic development. Industrial property rights are territorial and require registration in each country or region where protection is sought.
This form of protection is governed by various international agreements, notably the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and is administered in each country by dedicated national offices, such as the French Patent and Trademark Office (INPI) in France. The issues associated with industrial property include not only protection against unauthorized exploitation of inventions and creations but also access to technical information for the development of new technologies and products.