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

If Texas Tech is denied contractual rights from TV, merchandise, apparel and other contracts that involve intellectual property rights, the school could sue for breach of contract and assert that the Big 12 and its members are unlawfully interfering with contracts. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 June 2026

Critical information including intellectual property, military intelligence, medical records, and government secrets may be in danger. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Lionsgate has taken an equity stake in the generative AI video company Runway and plans to pull from its existing catalogue of intellectual property for an AI short-form series, expanding a partnership the two companies struck in 2024 and cementing the studio’s bullish approach to the technology. —Corbin Bolies, Variety, 11 June 2026

GlobalFoundries also plans to incorporate additional European partners into the ecosystem, including intellectual property providers, mask houses, and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test companies. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026

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 also:

property