User:Clinttw/sandbox

Intellectual property is any innovation, commercial or artistic; any new method or formula with economic value; or any unique name, symbol, or logo that is used commercially. Intellectual property is protected by patents on inventions; trademarks on branded devices; copyrights on music, videos, patterns, and other forms of expression; and state and federal laws. Stealing intellectual property involves someone using someone else’s ideas or product without authorization. The other person or company—the victim—has done all the work, but thieves can reap huge profits. Intellectual property theft can cost people their jobs, damage the reputation of the original maker of the counterfeited product, cause sickness and bodily harm, deprive governments of desperately needed tax revenue, and even result in the spread of organized crime and gangs—which in turn can damage more lives and destroy neighborhoods. It isn’t a victimless crime. A great surprise to many is the amount of United States (U.S.) involvement in intellectual property theft, but it is nonetheless a problem that many countries are involved in. There is a great deal being done by countries around the world to prevent intellectual property theft. In the U.S. for example, together, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Department of Justice, have launched a campaign against intellectual property theft. This campaign consists of video public service announcements for TV and online use, radio spots, and printed signs and brochures. This website tells about the research that went into the campaign, the different types of intellectual property theft, how to keep from being a victim of intellectual property theft, and resources that are available. The following information will provide further insight into intellectual theft performed by the U.S. This will include concise narratives on individuals such as Thomas Edison and Samuel Slater, both of which committed intellectual theft; what is being done by regulatory bodies to help detect and prevent intellectual theft; the constitutional and legal rights protecting U.S. citizens and their intellectual property. It is important to know that intellectual theft is still occurring today by U.S. citizens, companies and other entities within the U.S. and allegedly, by the U.S. government.