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Chapter 10
Intellectual Property
10.1 Introduction
Intellectual property (IP) is a legal concept that refers to creations of the
mind for which exclusive rights are recognized.
1
In its broadest sense, intel-
lectual property means the legal rights that result for intellectual activity in
the industrial, scientic, literary, and artistic elds, and protection against
unfair competition.
2
On July 31, 1790, Samuel Hopkins was issued the rst patent for a pro-
cess of utilizing potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer, for soap making. The
patent was signed by President George Washington, by Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson, as well as the Secretar ...