Intellectual property is divided into two branches:
- Literary and artistic property: this branch includes copyright (software, literary works, etc.) and related rights (for database producers, performers, videograms, and phonograms). Copyright is automatically acquired upon creation of the work.
- Industrial property includes patents, trademarks, designs, and other forms of intellectual property. Rights are obtained through registration.
An intellectual property right grants a monopoly for a set period: a maximum of 20 years for a patent, 25 years for a design/model, renewable indefinitely for a trademark (subject to renewal), and up to 70 years after the author’s death for copyright. This constitutes a real competitive advantage in a constantly evolving market and can contribute to a higher valuation of the company.