Which of the following is an example of intellectual property?

Intellectual property (IP) encompasses creations of the mind that are legally recognized, allowing individuals or organizations to control the use of their creations. The term broadly covers various types of protections afforded to different kinds of innovations and creative expressions.

A patent on an invention is an exemplary form of intellectual property. It grants the inventor exclusive rights to their invention for a specified period, typically 20 years, which prevents others from making, using, selling, or distributing the invention without permission. This legal protection encourages innovation by ensuring that inventors can potentially profit from their inventions without the fear of imitation.

While trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets are also important forms of intellectual property, the question asked specifically for one example. Each of these types of intellectual property serves a distinct purpose in protecting different aspects of creative and commercial endeavors. For instance, trademarks protect brand identification, copyrights protect original works of authorship, and trade secrets safeguard confidential business information. However, the focus in this instance is on the specific example of patents, which directly pertain to inventions and innovations.