IP Glossary
To navigate the intricacies of IP, here is a glossary of the most commonly used terms relating to IP.
A-Z
Definition
A
Abstract
The part of the patent (application) or utility certificate that summarizes the disclosure in the description, claims, and any drawings, offering a brief overview of the technical details of the invention. Note that the abstract does not define the scope of protection, which is determined by the claims.
AD.iP
The Abu Dhabi Intellectual Property (AD.iP) Centre of Excellence, established by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, provides a robust Intellectual Property framework that empowers researchers, innovators, and businesses to generate, innovate, and commercialize ideas, driving a knowledge-based economy and fostering regional prosperity.
Annuity / renewal payment
Annuity or renewal payments for intellectual property rights are periodic fees necessary to maintain the validity of patents, utility certificates, industrial designs and trademarks. Several IP service providers offer specialized solutions to track deadlines and manage the timely payment of these fees on behalf of their clients.
Applicant
Natural person or legal entity seeking for IP protection by submitting an application to the respective IP office.
Application
Request for IP protection usually filed with the IP office.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that enables disputes to be resolved outside the courts.
B
Boolean search
Search method that is conducted by using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to create a logical relationship between the used criteria.
C
Claim
The claims of a patent or utility certificate define the scope of protection sought and must be clear, concise, and fully supported by the description. A patent or utility certificate application must include at least one claim to establish the boundaries of the invention's protection.
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
Extension of the IPC in nine sections, A-H and Y, which in turn are sub-divided into classes, sub-classes, groups, and sub-groups. There are approximately 250 000 classification entries to select from.
Copyright
Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture and films to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings. Copyright protection is obtained automatically without the need for registration or other formalities. Many countries, also UAE, nonetheless have a system in place to allow for the voluntary registration of intellectual works.
Country code
Uniquely identify the origin of an IP document and find out exactly which IP office issued it. The codes consist of two letters, all outlined in a WIPO Standard. The country code for the United Arab Emirates is AE.
D
Defense
Despite the best of efforts, intellectual property disputes unfortunately can and do arise. Such disputes can include third parties alleging that you have infringed their IP rights. Such a case can potentially result in legal proceedings, demands to cease using the IP asset and/or compensation payments. Seeking for expert advice in business-relevant cases might be recommended.
Description
The description section of a patent (application) or utility certificate document provides a detailed and comprehensive disclosure of the invention, ensuring that a person skilled in the art can understand and reproduce it with sufficient clarity and completeness.
E
Enforcement
If you discover that a third party is infringing on your intellectual property rights, you may choose to take action to enforce those rights by asserting a claim of infringement.
Examination
The examination of an IP right application by an IP office examiner to determine whether the subject matter is eligible for registration and whether the application meets all legal requirements.
I
Industrial design
An industrial design is an intellectual property right aimed at protecting the appearance of products, in particular resulting from its lines, contours, colors, shape, and materials.
Industrial property
Types of intellectual property that have an industrial application, such as patents, utility certificates, and industrial designs.
Infringement
Violation of an exclusive intellectual property right. Infringement includes making, using, or selling a protected product or process without the permission of the IP right owner.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to intangible assets, “creations of the human intellect,” to be precise. Unlike tangible assets, which are physical (think of brick-and mortar building, machinery, and inventory, for instance), IP protects your ideas, inventions and more generally, your innovation.
International Patent Classification (IPC)
Hierarchical system of language independent symbols for the classification of patents and utility models according to the different areas of technology to which they pertain.
Invention
New product, process or apparatus or any new use thereof.
IP commercialisation
Commercialising intellectual property means turning protected ideas or creations into revenue-generating opportunities.
IP exploitation
IP exploitation involves the strategic utilization of intellectual property to generate value, whether through direct use in one's own operations, licensing, commercialization, partnerships, or sales, aligning with business objectives and market opportunities.
IP funding
IP funding involves assisting customers in securing financial support for their IP-related activities and initiatives.
IP licensing
IP licensing involves granting permission to another party to use your intellectual property rights under agreed terms, typically in exchange for royalties or other compensation. Some IP service providers specialize in helping clients realize effective IP licensing by offering services such as providing advice and consultation to draft fair, clear, and comprehensive licensing agreements.
IP maintenance - payment
IP maintenance (commonly referred to an annuity or renewal fee) payments for intellectual property rights are periodic fees necessary to maintain the validity of patents, utility certificates, industrial designs and trademarks. Some IP service providers offer specialized solutions to track deadlines and manage the timely payment of these fees on behalf of their clients.
IP office
An Intellectual Property (IP) office is an official entity responsible for administering, regulating, and protecting intellectual property rights, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and designs, to promote innovation and creativity. In In the UAE, the Ministry of Economy (MOEc) functions as the IP office.
IP search
An IP search involves identifying existing intellectual property rights, such as patents, trademarks, or designs, in public and commercial databases to evaluate their relevance to a specific invention, brand, or creative work. It helps determine novelty, validity, or potential conflicts of an IP asset. Some IP service providers specialize in offering IP search services, performing detailed searches across various databases.
IP strategy advice
IP service providers offer services focused on defining, guiding, and advising clients to make optimal strategic decisions regarding their intellectual property, ensuring these decisions align with and enhance the broader corporate strategy.
IP training
Training and education on IP related topics; not limited to a specific form and way of delivery.
IP valuation
IP valuation is the process of determining the monetary value of a specific intellectual property asset or an entire IP portfolio, providing a clear understanding of its financial significance and strategic potential.
IPR
IPR stands for Intellectual Property Right, referring to the legal rights granted to creators and owners of intellectual property to protect and control the use of their creations.
J
Jurisdiction
The national or global territory within which a legal body e.g., Government, Intellectual Property Office, Court may properly exercise its power.
L
Licensee
Party which is entitled to exploit the IP owner’s IP rights for a specific purpose and under specific conditions and duration, in return for a payment.
Licensing agreement
Agreement by which the owner of IP assets allows one or several third party(ies) to use or exploits the IPR for a specific purpose and under specific conditions and duration, in return for a payment.
Licensor
IP owner which is letting a third party exploit its IP.
Litigation
Litigation is the formal legal process of resolving disputes by presenting a case before a court, representing the traditional method of addressing conflicts. Some IP service providers offer specialized support during litigation, assisting clients in resolving intellectual property disputes. These disputes may include issues such as IP infringement through counterfeiting or piracy, or breaches of agreements, such as non-payment of licensing fees.
Lump sum
Financial compensation paid by the licensee in return of the rights granted by the license agreement. It usually takes the form of a fixed amount determined upfront, which can be one-time payment or instalments.
N
Negotiation
Negotiation is a process of communication between parties aimed at reaching a mutual agreement or resolving a conflict. In the context of intellectual property, negotiation often involves discussions on licensing terms, contracts, or dispute resolution to protect and advance the interests of the parties involved. Some IP service providers specialize in offering professional support during IP-related negotiations. They assist clients with matters such as drafting and aligning contracts, handling arbitration, and providing expert advice.
O
Opposition
Opposition proceedings in intellectual property are formal legal processes that allow third parties to challenge the validity of a granted IP right, such as a patent or trademark, within a specified time frame.
P
Patent
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention (usually for a maximum of 20 years), which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. Technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application to obtain a patent.
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
International treaty under which a single international patent application can be filed for patent protection in up to 144 countries. Application phase only, not an international patent.
Patent drafting
Drafting a high-quality patent application is crucial because it defines the scope of protection for an invention, ensuring its enforceability and value. Well-drafted applications minimize the risk of rejection, disputes, or loopholes that could weaken the intellectual property right. Some IP service providers offer professional drafting services, including writing patent application documents, strategically defining the scope of protection, and crafting patent claims to maximize the effectiveness and strength of the intellectual property.
Patent family
Set of interrelated patent applications filed in one or more countries to protect the same or a similar invention by a common inventor and linked by a common priority (or priorities).
Patent filing and / or prosecution
The patent filing and prosecution process involves submitting a patent application to the appropriate patent office and navigating the subsequent interactions required to secure the grant of a patent. Filing marks the formal initiation of the application, while prosecution encompasses all communications with the patent office, including responding to objections, amending claims, and addressing legal or technical requirements, to ensure the application complies with all necessary standards. Some IP service providers specialize in managing this process on behalf of clients. They handle the submission of applications to the relevant patent authorities and coordinate between the client and the patent office, ensuring a smooth process and working toward the successful grant of the requested patent.
Prior art
Prior art is, in general, all the knowledge that was made available to the public anywhere in the world prior to the relevant filing or priority date of a patent application. See also state of the art.
Priority
Right to file subsequent applications for the same invention at other offices. Valid for a certain period of time (usually 12 months) from the date of first filing of a patent application. The first filing date is known as the priority date.
Publication
The publication of intellectual property rights is a key step in the registration process, where the details of an application become publicly accessible. This transparency allows others to be informed about existing rights, promotes innovation, and provides an opportunity to challenge or oppose the application if needed. For example, in the case of patents, a patent application is typically published 18 months after filing, making the details of the invention available to the public. However publication regulations vary across jurisdictions. While many countries follow the 18-month rule, some, like the United Arab Emirates, publish only granted patents.
R
Representation in court
Representation in court for intellectual property disputes, such as infringement cases, is a specialized service that can only be performed by licensed and qualified legal professionals. Unlike some IP-related proceedings that occur before IP offices, disputes like infringement cases are typically handled by ordinary courts. In most countries, representation in such cases requires a national qualification and a license to practice law, ensuring that only privileged professionals, such as attorneys or specialized IP lawyers, can advocate for a client's interests. Some IP service providers offer these services, providing expert legal representation to safeguard their clients' IP rights effectively in court.
Representation in front of IP office
Representation in front of IP offices is a specialized task that requires qualified and authorized professionals. These professionals are equipped to act on behalf of the IP rights owner in matters such as filing applications, responding to office actions, and handling other procedural requirements. Some IP service providers offer representation services, ensuring that the client’s interests are effectively managed during interactions with the IP office. In most jurisdictions, such representation requires specific qualifications and authorization to practice before the relevant IP authority.
Royalty fee
Periodic fee paid by a licensee for the utilization of the licensed IPR, based on pre-defined criteria e.g., fee per product sold under the license, or percentage on the sales, revenues resulting from licensee, etc.
S
Semantic search
Search method that builds on the meaning in language or logic of the used terms.
State of the art
Existing technological information which is used to determine if an invention is novel and involves an inventive step. Includes documentary sources such as patents and publications, and non-documentary sources such as things known or used publicly. See also prior art.
T
Trade secret
Trade secrets are Intellectual Property rights on confidential information. Trade secrets protect undisclosed know-how and valuable business information against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure. The commercial and economic value of trade secrets results from its secrecy.
Trademark
A trademark is a distinctive sign that identifies and differentiates the goods or services of one company from those of others. Trademarks are registered with the relevant intellectual property office, and upon approval, they grant the owner exclusive rights to use and enforce the mark against unauthorized use or imitation by others.
Trademark Classification (Nice)
Nice Classification is a system of classifying goods and services for trademark applications. It consists of 45 classes. Goods are assigned to classes 1 to 34, and services to classes 35 to 45. Each class is represented by a class heading, which gives general information about the type of goods or services covered. Each class contains a set of terms within that class to better define the goods or services to be protected.
Trademark design
The process of drafting, sketching, and designing of a mark.
Trademark registration / application / filing
Trademark registration (application / filing) begins with filing an application at the relevant trademark office to protect a specific sign, logo, or name. The process includes submitting the required documentation, complying with legal requirements, and addressing any issues raised by the office. Some IP service providers offer professional support for trademark registration, handling the submission process and coordinating with the trademark office on behalf of the client to ensure the successful registration of the requested mark.
Trademark surveillance / monitoring / watch
Observation of third-party trademarks regarding certain criteria e.g., legal status, expiration date, owner change, etc.
Translation
Translations play a critical role in IP rights, especially when filing applications in foreign jurisdictions. Accurate translations ensure that the scope, claims, and technical details of the IP application are clearly communicated, preventing potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations that could weaken the protection of the rights or lead to costly errors. For many foreign filings, translating the entire application or specific parts, such as claims or descriptions, is a legal requirement. Professional IP translation service providers specialize in delivering precise translations tailored to the technical and legal standards of each jurisdiction, helping applicants avoid mistakes and maintain the strength of their IP rights.
TRL scale
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a systematic metric used to assess the maturity of a particular technology, ranging from its initial concept to its full deployment in operational settings. The TRL scale that was originally defined by NASA in the 1970s consists of nine levels:
TRL 1 – basic principles observed
TRL 2 – technology concept formulated
TRL 3 – experimental proof of concept
TRL 4 – technology validated in lab
TRL 5 – technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 6 – technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 7 – system prototype demonstration in operational environment
TRL 8 – system complete and qualified
TRL 9 – actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space)
This framework provides a clear pathway for technology development and helps in identifying potential risks associated with implementing new technologies.
U
Utility certificate
A utility certificate or utility model protects technical solutions of so-called “minor inventions”. Recognizing that improvements of existing products may have an important role in a local innovation system, utility certificates protect such inventions.
W
WIPO
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for Intellectual Property services, policy, information, and cooperation. WIPO is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.
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