Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (IP) is literally a product of the human mind that has value in the commercial marketplace. It covers a wide range of intellectual endeavors, including works of art, literary works, engineering and manufacturing design processes, articles of manufacture, chemical formulations, logos, biological processes and computer hardware and software.

The Intellectual Property area of the Faculty and Staff section provides a background description on the three types of IP that most often arises within a university:

Patents - Protection of inventions

Copyrights - Protection of original works of authorship

Trademarks - Protection of a distinguishing symbol associated with a product or service

Further information on how to protect IP at Boston College is found throughout the rest of the Faculty and Staff section by topic.