Bill Gates said, ‘Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana. No one can deny the fact that intellectual property and its creation, protection, and management, has become a major area of concern for individuals and companies worldwide. Unprotected intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana, or perhaps even less. Intellectual property is inherently in the public domain, unless the government provides legal protection. Protected intellectual property is a valuable exclusive right.’ This book explores the exclusive rights associated with intellectual property by highlighting issues in copyright law and orphan works, music piracy and the Recording Industry Association of America, patent law and the development of the Segway, patent licensing and litigation between Xerox Corporation and Palm Incorporated, as well as metadata and the role of intellectual property lawyers.
