Intellectual property (IP) refers to the creations of the mind, such as inventions (patents); literary and artistic works (copyright); new product designs (industrial designs); and brand-names, symbols, or logos used to distinguish products and services from one undertaking from another (trade marks).
IP is a powerful tool for individuals and enterprises to help control their property rights. Ireland has in place a strong legal framework and intellectual property system that offers IP right holders the opportunity to be rewarded for their creativity and innovation and enabling society at large and the economy to benefit from their achievements.
Formal IP rights include patents, trade marks and industrial designs so called because they can be registered. Copyright is a different type of intellectual property relating to creations of the mind and is seen in everyday life in creative works such as books, films, music, art and software, as well as in more mundane objects such as cars, computers and medicines. Other types of informal IP rights include plant variety rights, geographical indications of origin, trade secrets and topographies of integrated circuits. For further information please see other IP rights.
The Intellectual Property Unit of the department is responsible for Ireland’s policy and legislation on IP that reflects developments in intellectual property policy and practice domestically, at EU level and in terms of international obligations to which Ireland is committed through various international agreements.
The Intellectual Property Office of Ireland is responsible for the granting of patents, the registration of industrial designs and trade marks, and has certain functions in relation to copyright and related rights.
Featured news
New EU scheme for geographical indication (GI) protection for craft and industrial products
This new EU scheme establishes geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products and lays down the legal framework for the new protection system.
Further information on the new EU scheme for GI protection for craft and industrial products
Trade Marks (Madrid Protocol) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
The new Trade Marks (Madrid Protocol) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 entered into force on 15 October 2024. It amends rule 21(1)(a) of SI No 346 of 2001 to provide for a ‘partial replacement’ of a national trade mark registration with an international registration, namely for only some of the goods and services covered by the national trade mark registration to be listed in the international registration.
Toolkit for preventing cyber theft of trade secrets in SMEs
The European Commission has launched a comprehensive cyber-theft prevention toolkit tailored for SMEs. It focuses on empowering SMEs, particularly in high-risk sectors such as energy, biotechnology, transport, defence, and semiconductors, to protect their valuable trade secrets. It includes awareness-raising materials and training courses designed for SMEs to help them better prevent and respond to cyber-attacks.
Preventing cyber theft of trade secrets in SMEs: A comprehensive toolkit - European Commission
Assessment of international IP SME Helpdesk
The European Commission has invited potential tenderers to express interest in a project to assess the international intellectual property (IP) SME Helpdesk.
For more information on the process, visit EU funding and tenders portal (europa.eu).