intellectual property

noun

plural intellectual properties

: property (such as a concept, idea, invention, or work) that derives from the effort of the mind or intellect

… Netflix is home to several popular intellectual properties like "Squid Game", "Power Rangers", and the 1980s sci-fi horror hit "Stranger Things".

—Danni Button

also : a right or registration (such as a patent, trademark, trade secret, or copyright) relating to or protecting this property

In a number of cases, tech companies have infringed on the intellectual property of smaller rivals, who have sued in court.

—The Boston Herald

called also IP

Examples of intellectual property in a Sentence

Any song that you write is your intellectual property.

Recent Examples on the Web

While there are outliers like Avatar or Titanic, the vast majority of the highest-grossing films are sequels or based on intellectual property (and often both). —Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Research universities could increase research income by simply ignoring intellectual property entirely. —Joshua M. Pearce, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025

In play is Village Roadshow’s library of 108 feature films, including intellectual property, distribution rights and cash flows along with rights to produce, distribute and otherwise exploit remakes, sequels, and prequels, which the debtors co-own with studio partners – mainly Warner Bros. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025

The New York Times also filed a suit against Microsoft and OpenAI, alleging intellectual property violations related to its journalistic content appearing in ChatGPT training data. —Hayden Field, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

intellectual property

noun

: property (as an idea, method, or written work) that derives from the work of the mind

Legal Definition

intellectual property

see property