What is Intellectual Property? There was a conflict between NBC and Conan O’Brien in 2010 that ended in the host of the Tonight

Show leaving, being replaced with former host Jay Leno. Though NBC and Leno were both highly

criticized for essentially forcing O’Brien to leave the network it did happen, and had negative

consequences for O’Brien’s future.

Consequences This consequence was that any idea or product that had been written by him or his writers for his show

was under patent as a property of NBC, not Conan O’Brien. Therefore, once he left the network, he

would be under contract and law to never use the same jokes again, despite the fact that he wrote

them.

This is called “intellectual property.” Though NBC was within

their rights to restrict Conan from ever using his trademark

phrases and jokes, many were upset about it. It was the

intellectual property of NBC and therefore would not be used

again by Conan. Luckily, he was able to jump on his feet and get

a different job on a different network, going in a different

direction with different jokes.

Because of this experience, it has become more obvious to some that they need to protect their

intellectual property so it’s not taken away from them like it was from Conan O’Brien. In order to

protect your property, you have to know exactly what intellectual property (IP) entails.

IP includes anything that are inventions, discoveries, processes, unique materials, copyrightable works,

original data, creative works (such as Conan’s jokes), models, machines, devices, apparatus,

instrumentation, circuits, computer programs and visualizations, biological materials, chemicals, other

compositions of matter, plans, and records of research.

Ownership of Intellectual Property Before starting a project that involves any of those things, know whether or not your university or

company you may be creating it at has ownership over

your intellectual property. If you are unsure there are

intellectual property attorneys in Salt Lake City, Utah that

can help you read the laws and legislations to help you

figure it out.

If you are ever in a circumstance where you are being sued

for your intellectual property or if you want to sue for

misuse of your intellectual property you can contact these

attorneys to help you as well. There is no reason why you should have to fight for that yourself,

especially if you have never had experience with it before.

There are experts in Utah that have to deal with these sorts of situations every day. They are much more

common than you might think and can be rather complicated. If you do not want to end up on the

wrong side of a raw deal, get the professional help that you need from Kirton McConkie. There is no one

better within the greater Salt Lake area to help you claim your right to your intellectual property. You

can feel safe with your intellectual property in their hands.

Keep yourself aware of all the things you may create that can be taken away from you and make the

necessary precautions so you don’t end up losing them like Conan O’Brien did.

Photo Credit: Ambrozjo, creationc